Biological education, ethics and society

Abstract

Questions about living organisms are never neutral, and there can be no single answer. What is possible to do with biotechnology? Who should decide? Without biological references, individuals are just as illiterate today as they were last century if they couldn’t read. The biological community must have clear projects. First, we must question ourselves – as some already do – regarding biology’s place in society. Criticizing some biological practices, seeing how its approaches are becoming social challenges, considering the way in which the market, or policies, determine research, does not mean having an anti-scientific attitude. Instead, biologists must engage in such a questioning approach. If not, what is the purpose of knowledge without meanings?... Finally, how to introduce a biological education and mediation in link with society and ethics. The “solution” is not only additional classes, more concepts, or more public information regarding the contents and methods of research. What appears to be a possible key, is to trigger openness and availability in each individual’s mind, and to foster their curiosity for that which is not obvious, for problems.