A Study Of The Moral Orientation Of Life Science Engineers

Since the second half of the 20th century, life science technologies have made tremendous progress , especially in the fields of human knowledge , control and transformation of life. In a sense, human beings, or rather, life science engineers are playing the role of God. They have not only invented new species with the help of transgenic technology, but cured some previously incurable organic diseases by organ transplant. Aided by the technology of cloning or assisted reproductive technology, they almost realized the dream of attaining an eternal life. However, faced with the marvels of life science technologies, human beings have at once witnessed their'double-edged'sword effects. It not only contributed a lot to human progress and happiness but also nourished some unexpected harm and perils. Life science technologies have made people realize that if they can employ these advanced technologies with reason, human being will be blessed with an ineffable felicity. On the contrary, if we cannot apply them rationally, human being will be in the situation of self-destruction. To make life science technologies a benefactor of human well-being, we can regulate their application in our daily life by bioethics.In the field of life science technologies, the life science engineers are often faced with diverse moral choices. With a multi-role identity, faced with the diversity and selectivity in the process of technological application and the uncertainties of the effects brought by the application, life science engineers are often in a kind of moral dilemma, especially in the choice between good will and good behaviors which makes them embarrassed and helpless. Since any choice is made at the expense of diminishing or devouring the good deeds of some people, it means in a sense a choice between the great good and the small good. So, it is significant and valuable to probe into the subject of how life science engineers make the proper moral choice.With the theoretical help of ethics as well as Marxist historical materialism and dialectical materialism, and by the analysis of some typical cases, this thesis probes into the ethical issues in the application of life science technologies and analyzes the moral choices made by life science engineers. By expounding the connotation, value and theoretical basis of life science engineers'moral behavior, this thesis delves into the theoretical basis and symptoms of their moral choices, and makes a theoretical analysis of their professional conscience and responsibility as well as the ways of enhancing their choice-making ability. In addition, from the perspective of moral choice and by an analysis of cases in research and technological application, this thesis also provides a case study. Based on the theoretical analysis and case study, this thesis reveals the ways of enhancing life science engineers'ability to make moral choices by self-discipline and moral guidance.In the process of research and application, life science engineers face not only the moral choice between good and evil but also that between morality and interests, emotion and rationality, good and good. During their process of making moral choices, life science engineers should follow those standards such as good will, the priority of life and the maximization of moral value. Faced with the challenge of life science technologies, we can greatly reduce its perils by establishing a system of moral evaluation and education, enhancing the public's consciousness of bioethics, cultivating life science engineers'moral responsibility and enhancing the government's supervising function. By doing so, life science can be fully employed to contribute to our human well-being.