A pluralistic functional analysis of

Biotechnology�Pieter Vermaas University of Delft �Ana Cuevas University of Salamanca�

�

Aim �

!   To give a functional analysis of biotechnology for: �

!   Proving that biotechnology can be analysed as a mixed between biology and technology without being committed to a uniform analysis of functions. �

!   Identifying the peculiarity of genetic engineering. �

Introduction �

!   What makes genetic engineering so special that its development and uses lead to ongoing attempts to check these developments and uses?�

!   Genetic engineering can be considered as successor of domestication and breeding of organisms.�

!   The controversies around GMOs and the threats of its dissemination raise the question of the peculiarity of genetic engineering. �

Introduction �

!   We develop a general and abstract analysis of biotechnology: �

!   genetic engineering can be accommodated as a special case. �

!   Our general analysis of biotechnology is built on previous work by Dan Sperber (2007), in which biological and technical functions are different concepts. �

Introduction �

!   Biotechnology is characterised in primarily functional terms, as symbiosis: �

!   humans modify other organisms to let these organisms perform technical functions. �

!   these technical functions may become biological functions of the organisms. �

Sperber’s functions�!  Artifactual functions of an object: �• The intended effect for which agents make and use an object. �

!  Biological functions of an object of kind K: �

• A phenotypical effect that helps explain why objects of kind K continue to be reproduced. �

!  Cultural functions of “public mental behaviour” of kind K: �

• An effect that helps explain why behaviour of kind K continues to be reproduced. �

Artifactual function �

Biological function �

Cultural function �

All functions�

Three routes for biotechnology�

!   Symbiosis is typically defined as an interaction between two organisms, which can be analysed in terms of b-functions.�

Symbiosis�

Three routes for biotechnology�

!   We use Sperber’s analysis for describing biotechnology as symbiosis analysed in terms of a-functions and b-functions. �

Parasitism�

!   Item x of organism z has a capacity Φ as an a-function for humans.�

!   When interaction stops, the chances of reproduction of the organism decreases. �

Facultative mutualism�

!   Item x of organism z has a capacity Φ as an a-function for humans and as a b-function for itself. �

!   When interaction stops, the capacity Φ can still be a b-function for the organism. �

Obligate mutualism�

!   Item x of organism z has a capacity Φ as an a-function for humans and as a b-function for itself. �

!   When interaction stops, the capacity Φ stops to be a b-function for the organism. �

Dissemination �

!   These three routes apply to all forms of biotechnology. �

!   It allows us to identify the functional route which can amount to uncontrolled dissemination. �

Exotics�

!   Organisms may disseminate beyond the confines of their original habitats and become to be introduced into ecosystems of which their species is originally not a part.�

!   Are called exotics in ecology, �

!   May disrupt those ecosystems even to a point that human well-being becomes endangered. �

Dissemination �

!   Manipulated organism can become exotics too.�

!   The facultative mutualism route leads inherently to uncontrolled dissemination of the manipulated organism. �

!   Mechanisms to prevent dissemination are part of the parasitic and obligate mutualistic routes, whereas the facultative mutualistic route systematically creates the conditions for this dissemination.�

GMOs�

!   A functional analysis of biotechnology is possible in terms of biological and technical functions.�

!   These three routes allow an analysis of dissemination.�

!   There is a peculiarity of GMOs and genetic engineering �

Uncanny GMOs�

!   What makes GMOs different to modified organisms produced by more traditional forms of biotechnology, such as breeding?�

!   By being of submicroscopic size or by being macroscopically similar to unmodified organisms, uncontrolled and disruptive dissemination of GMOs will have the characteristic of untraceable natural disasters (Alfred Nordmann). �

Uncanny GMOs�

!   It is not possible to detect them.�

!   Traditional ways for destroying exotics are not available. �

!   Then they are like viruses or other undetectable natural disasters. �

Conclusions�

!   A functional analysis of biotechnology is possible in terms of biological and technical functions.�

!   These three routes allow an analysis of dissemination.�

!   Genetic engineering is epistemologically different from more traditional biotechnology.�

!   GMOs are uncanny and lead to undetectable threats.�