Author: admin

Richard Manning, in his article “Eating the Genes,” argues
that in developing countries, the risks to the environment or people posed by
genetically engineered foods is of much less consequence that the reality of
starvation and suicides by farmers whose crops are ruined by insects. Do you
agree with the point he is making? Why or why not?

In contrast to developed countries like the United States
and Europe, where biotechnology is controlled by large, profit-oriented
biotechnology corporations, in developing countries sophisticated native
scientists in the public sector are developing new disease-resistant and
pest-resistant biotech crops for their countries. Which approach to
biotechnology is better? Why?

Most GMO research has been done on nonhuman animals such as
rats and livestock, revealing serious health risks. Although these studies are
suggestive, research on humans is obviously needed but blocked by the seed
companies. Are you concerned about potential health risks associated with GMOs?
If so, what steps might you take to address this risk?

Singer uses multiple examples to dramatize our moral
responsibility in reducing world hunger: a child drowning in a pond, a child
imperiled on a railroad track. In what way are these examples similar with
respect to the central argument that he is making? Do you agree with Singer
that it is our moral obligation to save a child’s life if we are able to do so
without great sacrifice on our part? Why or why not?

If you put yourself in the situation that Singer describes,
what would you be willing to sacrifice in order to save the life of a child
with whom you had no personal connection? Whatever your level of sacrifice,
would it be fair to say that this reflects the value you place on a human life?

What are the strongest reasons (premises) for siding with
those online who shamed Justine Sacco for her tweet? What about the strongest
reasons for siding with Sacco? Which set of reasons is the most compelling for
you? Why?

Does the content of Sacco’s tweet demand moral outrage? Why
or why not? Consider your response in relation to the above discussion of
freedom of speech—does having the freedom to say something mean that you should
not be shamed or criticized for it? What about losing your job for exercising
your free speech?

How do stories about people losing their job and being
shamed or harassed online affect the ways in which you use new media
technologies? Is it more important for you to say what you want or to protect
yourself from viral outrage? Why?

In the article “When the Cyberbully is You,” Nick Bilton
offers Nietzsche’s quote, “Be careful when you fight the monsters, lest you
become one.” What do you think Nietzsche means here? How could fighting a
monster turn you into one? How does this relate to the topic of viral outrage?