Definition

“Gene Ecology is a new interdisciplinary field that is unique in its combination of genetics and biochemistry with bioethics, the philosophy of science, and social studies of science and technology. It builds on innovative work in the areas of genomics, proteomics, food science, ecology, evolution, intellectual property, indigenous rights, participatory technology assessment, and globalisation. This synthetic approach reverses the trend toward the more reductionist qualities of the component sciences. Gene Ecology is rapidly becoming a central discipline for the comprehensive evaluation of modern biotechnologies.

Background

New products achieved through genetic modifications, and by other techniques in modern biotechnology, create potential for curing human diseases and ailments. This field of research also opens up the way to improving the characteristics of plants, animals and human beings. One of the major challenges facing this new area of knowledge is that one does not have the complete picture of all the consequences such manipulations can bring. On the contrary, we have only a very rudimentary understanding of the complexity of processes we are potentially changing, in particular when products of modern biotechnology are used in open ecosystems. Gene Ecology as a professional study field grew from this lack of certainty. The objective is to study how gene modified organisms can affect human and animal health and the environment. Risk analyses are an important tool in Gene Ecology research.

The term ”Gene Ecology” was born in Tromsø, and the establishment of the term as a scientific field was initiated through GenØk. Research into gene-ecological matters is carried out both in the laboratory and in full-scale projects in agro-ecosystems and in natural ecosystems.

The basis for Gene Ecology as a scientific subject is a difficult clash of interests: While genetic manipulation opens the way to several potential advantages – in particular with regard to health and improvement of agri- and aqua-culture – there are also risks attached to the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Horizontal gene transfer and gene flow may contribute to the dissemination of genetic material in given situations with clearly damaging consequences. Examples of this are the development of resistance to antibiotics and cross-pollination between landraces and GM-maize in Mexico. Risk evaluation therefore becomes a key term in Gene Ecology, and a vital task will be to build up a base of knowledge and experience in risk assessment and monitoring. To achieve safer use of modern biotechnologies, it is necessary to establish proper models and perform tests by independent research.

Risk evaluation

Risk and probability are not the same. Risk is defined as the probability of an event or phenomena occurring, multiplied by any consequences that may result from the incident actually occurring. At this point in time we have little knowledge of both the probabilities and consequences of modern biotechnological products.

Gene Ecology research starts with hypotheses of “what if”. The objective of the research is to replace uncertain presumptions with knowledge. Until such knowledge has been established, Gene Ecology as a professional field has adopted a caution-first principal as its starting point for further research.

The ethical dimension

As the positive potential of modern biotechnology is accompanied by new potential risks and dangers, the challenge is to direct research in a direction where the advantages can be harvested while at the same time implementing caution-first based strategies in order to avoid undesirable ethical, ecological and socio-economic effects. We wish to include also the ethical implications for science and society by the use of modern biotechnologies. An ethical analysis is closely linked to the understanding of how the technology may affect the welfare of humans, animals and the environment. Important questions are: How do we act under uncertainty or in ignorance? How do we include evaluation of long-term consequences? Who makes the decisions? Who are affected? Such questions require ethical reflection with input from ethicists, molecular biologists, ecologists, social scientists, politicians and people from civil society.

Interdisciplinary

Gene Ecology is an inter-disciplinary field of research, it combines genetics, molecular biology, ecology, ethics and the philosophy of science. Gene Ecology and biosafety is in the process of establishing itself as a central discipline in the evaluation of modern biotechnologies.