| title: | The ethical aspects of genetic databases and new technologies: individual versus common values and goods |
|---|---|
| reg no: | ETF6099 |
| project type: | Estonian Science Foundation research grant |
| status: | accepted |
| institution: | University of Tartu |
| head of project: | Margit Sutrop |
| duration: | 01.01.2005 - 31.12.2008 |
| description: | "The ethical aspects of genetic databases and new technologies: individual versus common values and goods" The objective of the project is to explore the philosophical-ethical questions that have emerged alongside the speedy developments in science and the new technologies. The focus is foremost on the ethical aspects of genetic databases and the related, so-called new technologies (pharmacogenetics, gene technology etc). The project is divided into three research fields: 1) Analysis of risks related to development of science and new technologies and the elucidation and justification of the values that are seen as being threatened by these risks. Methodologically the history of ideas and the systematic approaches are applied. 2) Analysis of values prevalent in bioethics. The aim is to disclose the practices of justification for values like privacy, autonomy, justice and solidarity. In relation to genetic databases the dilemmas arising from the conflict between liberal individualism and communitarianism that stresses the common good (solidarity versus privacy, contradictory principles of justice, altruistic versus egoistic participation motivation) will be examined. 3) Sociological research „Estonian attitudes towards science and technological developments - perceived risks and values“ and the philosophical analysis of the results. Research will focus on questions like which values prevail in relation to technological development? What do Estonians mean under privacy, do people feel threatened as the amount of genetic information is growing? How are privacy and solidarity, individual and common interests balanced? The purpose of the sociological study is to provide supporting data for the theoretical analysis of the other fields of the research project. |
| project group | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| no | name | institution | position | |
| 1. | Roomet Jakapi | TÜ/ TTÜ | Researcher, Senior Researcher | |
| 2. | Marek Järvik | University of Tartu | Ph.D. student | |
| 3. | Külli Keerus | University of Tartu | extraordinary researcher; assistant | |
| 4. | Külliki Korts | University of Tartu | researcher | |
| 5. | Aive Pevkur | University of Tartu | PhD student | |
| 6. | Eva Piirimäe | TÜ Cambridge'i Ülikool | PhD student (history of ideas) | |
| 7. | Kadri Simm | University of Tartu | Project manager, PhD student | |
| 8. | Margit Sutrop | University of Tartu | Professor of Practical Philosophy, Head of the Centre for Ethics | |