Abstract
In this paper I explore the heuristic limits ofhuman genetics, in particular the claim that itis possible to manipulate human germcells in a pre-ordinate way (Gordon, 1999). I arguethat this claim is unrealistic based ongenetic reductionism and a wrong concept ofgenetic diseases.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barbour, V.: 2000, 'The Balance of Risk and Benefit in Gene-Therapy', The Lancet 353, January 29, 384.
Caplan, A.: 1992, If I Were a Rich Man Could I Buy a Pancreas? And Other Essays on the Ethics of Health Care. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
Cohen, D.: 1997, 'Birth of Infant after Transfer of Anucleate Donor Oocyte Cytoplasm into Recipient Eggs', The Lancet, 186-187.
Daniels, N.: 1992, 'Growth Hormone Therapy for Short Stature: Can We Support the Treatment/Enhancement Distinction?', Growth: Genetics and Hormones 8 (Supplement 1), 46-48.
Dutton, G.: 2000, 'Debating Gene Therapy's Future', Genetic Engineering News 1, 1-11.
Frankel, M. and Chapman, A.: 2001, Human Inheritable Genetic Modifications Assessing Scientific, Ethical, Religious, and Policy Issues (AAAS report), http://www.aaas. org/spp/dspp/sfrl/germline/main.htm.
Glover, J.: 1984, What Sort of People Should There Be? Genetic Engineering Brain Control and Their Impact on Our Future World. N.Y.: Penguin Books.
Gordon, J.: 1999, 'Genetic Enhancement in Humans', Science 283, 2023-2024.
Harris, J.: 1992, Superman and Wonderwomen: the ethics of human biotechnology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Juengst, E.: 1991, 'Human Germ-Line Engineering', Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 16(6), 587-694.
Lewontin, R.: 1998, Gene, Organismo e Ambiente. Roma: Editori Laterza.
Marshall, E.: 1999, 'Gene Therapy Death Prompts Review of Adenovirus Vector', Science 286, 2244-2245.
Rubenstein, S. et al.: 1995, 'Germ-Line Therapy to Cure Mitochondrial Disease and Ethics of In Vitro Ovum Nuclear Transplantation', Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics 4, 316-339.
Salvi, M.: 1996, 'Biotecnologie e terzo mondo un problema di giustizia', Qualita' Equita' Rivista del welfare del futuro 3, 111-123.
Salvi, M.: 1997, 'How Calculating the Utility of Human Germline Gene Transformations? A critic to the Utilitarianism in Bioethics', EJAIB Journal of Asian and International Bioethics 7, 36-38.
Salvi, M.: 1998, 'Human Genetics and the integrity of Self: Germline Gene Therapy', in: D. Macer and N. Fujiki (eds.), Bioethics in Asia. Cristchurch NZ: Eubios Press, pp. 278-284.
Smaglick, P.: 1999a, 'Animal Studies Boost Gene Therapy Vector's Prospects', The Scientist 13(8), 9.
Smaglik, P.: 1999b, 'Monkey/Human Chimera Gaining Favour in AIDS Research', The Scientist, August 30, 13.
Suzuki, D. and Knudson, P.: 1987, Genethics, the Ethics of Engineering Life. Toronto: Stoddart Publishing Co.
Tauer, C.: 1995, 'Human Growth Hormone: A Case Study in Treatment Priorities', Hastings Center Report 25(3), 18-20.
Watson, J.: 1998, 'Good Gene, Bad Gene', Time Special Issue 'The new age of discovery', 86-88.
White, G.B.: 1993, 'Human Growth Hormone: The Dilemma of Expanded Use in Children', Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal 3(4), 401-409.
Wilkie, T.: 1993, Perilous Knowledge The Human Genome Project and its Implications. London: Faber & Faber Press.
Winnaker, E.: 1987, From Genes to Clones Introduction to Gene Technology. Weinheim: Verlasgsgesellschaft.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Salvi, M. Genetics' dreams in the post genomics era. Med Health Care Philos 5, 73–77 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014233218050
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014233218050