Molding a Better Humanity? Ethical Implications of Human Genetic Modifications for Enhancement

• Main Author: Kodimattam Joseph, George
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: Linköpings universitet, Centrum för tillämpad etik 2008
• Subjects: Genetics; bioethics; gene therapy; genetic enhancement; eugenics; Philosophy subjects; Filosofiämnen
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-12266

The study analyzes the ethical implications of human gene transfer technology for enhancement. Although human gene transfer technology is widely accepted on therapeutic grounds the non-therapeutic use of gene transfer technology remains to be a gray zone for moral deliberation. The present discussion addresses several ethical issues concerning the impacts of human gene transfer technology on individuals, the society, and future people. Accordingly, the study examines major ethical issues concerning the use of human gene transfer technology in general and genetic enhancement in particular, and reliability of the putative demarcation between therapy and enhancement, and further proposes ethical guidelines for non-therapeutic application of human gene transfer technology. A special attention is given to three major ethical issues, such as our obligation to future generations, problems concerning justice, fairness, and equality, and the problem of uncertainty.