Designing Our Descendants: The Promises and Perils of Genetic Modifications (Bioethics) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0801872316 ISBN 13: 9780801872310

Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2003

Synopsis

The Human Genome Project, discoveries in molecular biology and new reproductive technologies have advanced our understanding of how genetic science may be used to treat persons with genetic disorders. Greater knowledge may also make possible genetic interventions to "enhance" normal human characteristics, such as height, hair or eye colour, strength, or memory, as well as the transmittal of such modifications to future generations. The prospect of inheritable genetic modifications, or IGMs, whether for therapeutic or enhancement purposes, raises complex scientific, ethical and regulatory issues. This volume presents 20 essays by physicians, scientists, philosophers, theologians, lawyers and policy analysts addressing these issues from diverse perspectives. In three sections, the authors discuss the short- and long-term scientific feasibility of IGM technology; ethical and religious issues related to safety, justice, morality, reproductive rights, and enhancement; and regulatory issues including the necessity of public input and oversight and the influence of commercialization. Their goal is to open a dialogue engaging not only scholars and scientists but also government officials and concerned citizens. The authors conclude that while IGM cannot be carried out safely and responsibly on humans utilizing current methods, it is important to begin public discussion now to determine whether, and if so how, to proceed.

About this title

About the Authors

Audrey R. Chapman is a professor of community medicine and Healey Chair in Medical Humanities and Bioethics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.

Mark S. Frankel is the director of the Scientific Freedom, Responsibility, and Law Program at American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Edition details

• Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0801872316
• ISBN 13: 9780801872310
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 384
• Editor: Chapman Audrey R., Frankel Mark S.