Abstract

'Genetic engineering' refers to the deliberate manipulation of genetic material in the cells of living things. This dissertation examines the ethics of genetic intervention in human beings at four levels: Somatic cell. Intervening in non-reproductive cells in order to fight disease; Germ line. Intervening in reproductive tissue, thereby affecting offspring; Enhancement. Effecting a desired change in a known characteristic; Eugenic. Attempting to 'improve' upon or alter human characteristics. Though the first level is only beginning its experimental phase in human beings and the others are far from technical feasibility at this writing, each is examined as if it were a viable option. ;The dissertation undertakes: a description of the nature of genetic engineering and of the way in which ethical issues arise from it; an identification of arguments made by various thinkers about different aspects of genetic engineering; an analysis of these arguments with the goal of determining which are plausible and persuasive; a normative proposal for the use of genetic engineering. ;Disagreement is possible in interpreting empirical situations and consequences, and the ethical issues presented by genetic engineering are extremely complex. Use is made here of James M. Gustafson's four "base points:" relevant moral rules and ethical principles ; the underpinnings of these rules and principles, and the sources of their interpretation, in theological affirmations; the situation or context; and the pertinent characteristics of the moral agents involved. ;The position ultimately proposed is that, with substantial qualification, genetic engineering is both acceptable and appropriate from the moral point of view. This evaluation applies to its use at all four levels, provided that particular conditions are met . Thus, genetic intervention at the first level can be evaluated in many ways like other new treatments in their experimental phases, while intervention at the fourth level may be justified only as a last resort to be utilized under severely limited circumstances