Final answer:
Ethical issues are based on morality and what is considered right or wrong, whereas legal issues are based on laws and regulations. Something can be unethical yet legal, or vice versa. The distinction plays a crucial role in fields like biotechnology, where both ethical and legal questions are highly prominent.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between ethical issues and legal issues pertains to the guiding principles that define each. Ethical issues are concerned with the principles of right and wrong behavior, often informed by moral philosophy, cultural norms, and personal beliefs. These issues revolve around questions of morality and what is considered 'good' or 'ethical' behavior in a given context. In contrast, legal issues are based on laws that have been codified by governments and legal systems; these laws dictate what is permissible and what is prohibited in society, with specific sanctions and consequences attached to them.
For example, in biotechnology, ethical issues might include concerns about the moral implications of genetic modification or the ethics of cloning. Legal issues, on the other hand, would involve the regulatory frameworks governing the use of biotechnology, patent laws, and privacy regulations related to genetic information.
It's important to note that something can be unethical yet legal, or illegal yet considered by some to be ethical. Ethical and legal perspectives may converge or diverge based on the context and the prevalent social, cultural, and legal frameworks in place.