Indikator bagi Prinsip Etika Sensitiviti Agama, Budaya dan Maruah dalam Bioteknologi Moden

Abstract

 Kerisauan terhadap kerapuhan perpaduan di Malaysia turut memberi kesan kepada perkembangan bioteknologi moden. Dalam menangani isu ini, pembangunan prinsip sensitiviti agama, budaya dan maruah dipercayai mampu menjadi langkah yang proaktif dalam menangani salah faham berkaitan agama, budaya dan maruah dalam bioteknologi moden. Walau bagaimanapun, prinsip etika lazimnya bersifat deskriptif dan sukar untuk ditafsir. Justeru objektif kajian ini ialah untuk mengenalpasti indikator-indikator yang sesuai bagi prinsip sensitiviti agama, budaya dan maruah dalam bioteknolgi moden dari perspektif pihak berkepentingan di Malaysia. Kajian ini menggunakan kaedah kualitatif melalui perbincangan kumpulan fokus (FGD) secara sampel bertujuan dalam kalangan pihak berkepentingan dari bidang bioteknologi di sekitar Lembah Klang. Rakaman perbincangan telah ditranskripsi secara ‘verbatim’ sebelum dianalisis. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa semua panel amat bersetuju mengenai kepentingan prinsip ini dan kesesuaiannya dalam bioteknologi moden untuk diguna pakai di Malaysia. Semua panel pakar juga telah bersetuju untuk mencadangkan dua indikator utama kepada prinsip ini dimana pengamal bioteknologi moden mestilah menyediakan; 1) Status Halal produk bioteknologi moden yang ingin dipasarkan kepada pengguna Islam dan; 2) Surat perakuan bahawa kajian dan pengeluaran produk bioteknologi moden dijalankan dengan menjaga sensitiviti agama, budaya dan maruah di Malaysia. Kedua-dua indikator bagi prinsip etika sensitiviti agama, budaya dan maruah dipersetujui penting bagi pengawal atur, penyelidik dan pengeluar dalam bidang bioteknologi moden untuk memastikan mereka menjalankan tugas dengan beretika.

Indicators for the Ethical Principle of Religious Sensitivity, Culture and Dignity in Modern Biotechnology

Concern over the fragility of unity in Malaysia has affected development of modern biotechnology. In addressing this issue, the development of an ethical principle of religious sensitivity, culture and dignity is believed to be a proactive measure in preventing misunderstandings regarding religion, culture and dignity in modern biotechnology. However, the nature of the ethical principle is descriptive and difficult to interpret. The objective of this study therefore is to identify and study the appropriate indicators for an ethical principle of religious sensitivity, culture and dignity in modern biotechnology from the perspective of stakeholders in Malaysia. This study was conducted using qualitative methods through focus group discussion (FGD) by purposive sampling that consisted of stakeholders in biotechnology around Klang Valley. The audio recordings of the discussion were transcribed verbatim before analysis. Research results show that all panels strongly agreed on the importance of an ethical principle and its suitability for the modern biotechnology of Malaysia. All panels have also agreed to suggest two main indicators for the principle which the practitioner of modern biotechnology must provide: 1) Halal status is presented for modern biotechnology products for Muslim users and; 2) A letter of declaration that the study and production of modern biotechnology products are carried out with due respect to sensitivity of religion, culture and dignity in Malaysia. It is agreed that both indicators for an ethical principle of religious sensitivity, culture and dignity are important to facilitate regulators, researchers and producers in the field of modern biotechnology in performing their tasks ethically.