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The considerable growth of biotechnologies, the potential effects of their current or future application in the life sciences and a certain number of recent health crises have changed the nature of relations between science and society. The general public questions the benefits or risks (real, supposed or feared) of scientific progress. In this context, the ethical evaluation of new scientific developments is crucial.
Demanding ethical standards
As a mission-oriented public research agency, INRA has considerable responsibilities towards society. It produces knowledge which is available to society and can be used in the context of numerous innovations; it also provides expert input for public and private decision-makers. To accomplish these missions, INRA must place particular emphasis on research and expertise which will contribute to the development and protection of public assets, to the well-being and safety of citizens and the preservation of common resources. At the same time, it must provide information and participate in debate with society.
Furthermore, many research projects are carried out in partnership with researchers from other organisations or higher education institutions, as well as with commercial enterprises. When research questions or their applications are discussed, representatives from the agricultural or rural sectors, industry or the general public may be involved. Although these partnerships are essential to mission-oriented research, INRA must ensure their satisfactory balance and diversity.
Ethical review aims to identify the appropriate action in a particular context as a function of moral judgements which may be varied and contradictory within a pluralistic society. Although it allows the orientation and management of actions through standards, it also applies to the methods used to generate knowledge. Indeed, the orientation of actions requires that account be taken of their numerous dimensions and consequences, by adopting a resolutely multidisciplinary approach which will explore all facets of a question.
A proactive attitude
INRA has adopted a proactive approach towards ethical questions, by grasping the problems as far upstream as possible when research projects are proposed. This approach has resulted in the inception and development of numerous initiatives:
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in-house debates on the opinions emitted by the COMEPRA
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at the initiative of researchers, creation of the Ethos group, made up of researchers from different disciplines, which has organised three symposia and published three reports,
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discussion groups organised by the Rennes Research Centre (Ethos Tuesday Meetings), lectures at the Montpellier Research Centre and participation in doctoral schools,
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discussions on the professional ethics of researchers, at a national level. In particular, these discussions have made it possible to formalise the rules which guarantee the impartiality of expert opinions emitted by INRA researchers, working alone or in groups,
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the definition of a partnership charter and an intellectual property charter,
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experimenting with new means of dialogue with society in the context of a pilot experiment with respect to transgenic vines in Colmar,
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actions and discussions on animal welfare,
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the inclusion of a teacher in ethics at the Rennes Agrocampus and a philosopher within INRA,
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international involvement, particularly with respect to organisation in Toulouse in March 2003 of the annual meeting of EurSafe, the European Society for Agricultural and Food Ethics.
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