Question

A local community is debating whether to adopt a new biotechnological tool that uses rapid DNA profiling to solve crimes, develop disease-resistant crops, and accelerate medical diagnoses. Before making a decision, a student committee gathers information from scientists, farmers, medical professionals, and civil rights groups.



Which question would MOST effectively help the committee evaluate the ethical considerations of using this biotechnology?



A.
How much funding would be required to implement the biotechnology in each sector?

B.
How does the biotechnology identify or alter specific genes in each of its applications?

C.
How many other countries have already adopted the biotechnology and reported successful results?

D.
How might the biotechnology impact personal privacy, public health equity, and long-term environmental stability?

Answer 1

D

This question directly targets the core ethical issues across the biotechnology’s applications — e.g., DNA profiling raises privacy, surveillance, and discrimination concerns; medical uses raise equity and consent/access issues; agricultural uses raise environmental and biodiversity impacts and long-term ecological risks. The other options focus on funding (A), technical mechanisms (B), or prevalence/success stories (C), which are important but do not most effectively surface the ethical trade‑offs the committee needs to weigh.