The complex ethical issues arising from the development of the gene editing technology and the synthetic biology technology are reviewed in this paper. The common ethical disputes among the natural life view, the traditional culture view, the technological security and the social justice are analyzed, as well as the ethical differences in the ethical consequences, the ethical attitudes and the ethical governance. By developing a reasonable ethical reflection approach, the complex ethical challenges faced by the modern biotechnology and the scientific ethical position that should be upheld are prospected. This paper provides some guidance for the formulation of the forward-looking and targeted classified governance countermeasures in the future, to make the development of science and technology and the social ethics in harmony for the benefit of mankind.

gene editing technology  /  synthetic biology technology  /  ethical debates  /  fairness