The topic of ' ETHICS has many facets and is sometimes subjective.

It concerns the sensitive issue of Human Life both in terms of Bioethics related to scientific research, but also the relationship with procreation-abortion, contraception-and with the end of life (euthanasia).

Bioethics sets its sights on the limits to be placed on scientific research, whether for ethical, moral or prudential reasons, in order to keep research within a framework that respects laws, cultures and the precautionary principle.

The best known topic is bio-engineering, which has produced GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms), or the creation of new animal or plant species not found on our planet by crossing genomes belonging even to different kingdoms. The rapid development of research raises important questions only partly framed by current laws.

Bioengineering also introduces the issues of eugenics, species selection, and animal cloning, which, having become a reality, has naturally extended the debate to humans: how far can medical research go? What are the limits on stem cells? Is it acceptable to implant organs from other animals into human beings? The list is very long.

Other ethical issues include tax evasion, predatory finance, animal rights and the prison business.

Relative to issues of bioethics, the debate is divided between two approaches:

• An anthropocentric view that promotes research with few limits, arguing that nature is continually creating new species and that it is permissible for humans to do the same, by virtue of social needs, i.e., ensuring sufficient food production to sustain the world's population growth, and innovative medical solutions to extend human lifespan.
• A prevailing sustainability view that recommends caution in introducing living modified organisms because such organisms are created outside the food chain and could be capable of exacerbating imbalances in ecosystems, already made fragile by human activity and climate warming.

It also adds to a debate about the conscious nature of the animal kingdom and the need to stop treating animals as objects and start giving them rights and consideration, for example by abolishing animal testing.

The topic of bioethics is mainly approached through two types of approaches:

The normative approach related to Society implementation of international treaties and standards, in particular:

• During the 2000 Rio Convention on Biodiversity, the Cartagena Protocol was signed, which defined Genetically Modified Organisms and reaffirmed the precautionary (biosafety) principle for human health and ecosystems. There are now 170 signatory countries and the text has been incorporated into the WTO's international trade protocols.
•  The 1997 Oviedo Convention enshrined the ban on eugenics, human cloning and dictated the principles of living wills. Approved by Europe, however, it has not been followed internationally across the board.

The exclusionary approach is varied and is often used according to a belief, religion or philosophy, as well as the proper application of international treaties:

• exclusion of states that do not apply the principles of the Cartagena Protocol;
• exclusion of companies and states doing research on stem cells, human cloning and eugenics;
• Exclusion of enterprises traceable to abortion or contraception practices;
• Exclusion of companies that do not respect animal rights/do animal testing.

A minority of sustainable funds are interested in 'ethics :

• 41% of funds have implemented controls and exclusions on at least one of these issues
• 35% conduct audits related to tax evasion of investee companies ;
• 18% monitor issues related to genetic bioengineering-especially GMOs, eugenics, and human cloning
• 12% of funds analyzed are interested in animal advocacy
• 2% take an interest in issues related to contraception and abortion
• 2% excludes Society involved in Predatory Finance.