Fetichismo e ideologia na distorção da biotecnologia: um estudo a partir de Marx

Abstract

In this work, I talk about how biotechnology in food production is distorted. By this I refer to the way we are led to perceive and treat the development and application of practices originating from biotechnology. In particular, I am referring to genetically modified organisms. Starting from a Marxist framework, I explain that there are two primary forms of distortion identified by Marx. The first is fetishism and refers to the attribution of properties to something without this something actually possessing them but appearing to possess them by itself. The second is ideology and refers to the thinking of the ruling class that becomes generalized, making the interests and thoughts of maintaining current sociability become the interest of everyone. I address how these two forms of distortion manifest themselves in technology in general, in sequence. Fetishism manifests itself in technology, causing changes in society to be attributed to technique and technology and not to the events of social magnitude that give rise to technology. Ideology acts on technology, causing the process of adopting techniques to be seen as neutral and alien to the internal tension of the sociability itself that originates this process of technical development. Additionally, the ideology propagates the idea that we live in an exceptional era guided by reason and technical innovation. Finally, I address how these two forms of distortion manifest themselves in biotechnology for food production. Fetishism works by making genetically modified organisms seen as themselves causing improvements in the relationship between production and the environment by their supporters and as causing environmental and social damage by their opponents. In both cases, social properties and powers are attributed to the biotechnology that generates transgenics in order to characterize the fetish. The ideology causes genetically modified organisms to be treated as a purely rationa option to achieve the good of the population as a whole, thus hiding the influence of sociability behind their origin and application. As a main conclusion, I indicate that any discussion about genetically modified organisms and biotechnology cannot be centered solely on their immediate product, but rather on the complex range of factors determining technical development.