Human commodification and ownership claims in biotechnology

Genes are considered as “green gold” in this era of biotechnology. Currently، multinational companies and governments search continents to find this valuable asset in the hope to discover people with unique genetic characteristics that can be converted into capital and marketed in the future. Modern economy provides the framework to analyze any new technology from the advantage perspective and has vastly transformed the concept of capital and market; thus، humans or any organism with specific genetic characteristics can be converted to capital and offered in profitable markets. Patenting and ownership of genetic resources without consideration for principles of inherent human rights will impact the society and result in a violation of these rights، especially those of vulnerable individuals and groups. In spite of the numerous benefits of biotechnology for individuals and the society، the risks to human dignity، equality، health، autonomy and research، as well as the possibility of information abuse should not be ignored، especially considering the alliance between technology and economy. Biotechnology can make claims to ownership of human life and desired genetic traits، and this is a problem caused by the biotechnology revolution in developing countries and consequently، indigenous peoples of these countries have shown different reactions to such issues. This article will discuss “human commodification”، which is a serious concern in the field of biotechnology in our world today