GERM-LINE GENE THERAPY
47
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Support for the project which stimulated this issue was provided by a grant from the Ethics and Values Studies Program of the National Science Foundation (RII-8511073), with co-funding from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation, the NICHHD, or my current employer, the National Center for Human Genome Research.
REFERENCES CAPRON, A.: 1984, 'Human genetic engineering', Technology in Society 6, 23-35. COOK, ROBIN: 1989, Mutation, Berkley Books, New York. DANIELSON, H.: 1988, 'Gene therapy in man: Recommendations of the European medical research councils', Lancet i, 1271-1272. FLETCHER, J.: 1974, The Ethics of Genetic Control, Anchor Press, New York. FLETCHER, J.: 1983, 'Moral problems and ethical issues in prospective human gene therapy', Virginia Law Review 69,515-546. FLETCHER, J.: 1990, 'Evolution of ethical debate about human gene therapy', Human Gene Therapy 1,55-69. GLOVER, J.: 1984, What Sort of People Should There Be?, Penguin, Harmondsworth.
HARING, B.: 1975, Ethics of Manipulation: Issues in Medicine, Behavior Control and Genetics, Seabury Press, New York. JUENGST, E.: 1990, 'The NIH 'Points to Consider' and the limits of human gene therapy', Human Gene Therapy 1,425-433. MURRAY, T.: 1985, 'Ethical issues in genetic engineering', Social Research 52,472-489. RAMSEY, P.: 1972, 'Genetic therapy: A theologian's response', in M. Hamiton (ed.), The New Genetics and the Future ofMan , Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan. ROSENBERG, LEON.: 1987 'Gene therapy for inherited diseases', NRC NewsReport 37, 12-14. SCHIRMACHER, W.: 1987, 'Homo generator: The challenge of gene technology', in P. Durbin (ed.), Technology and Responsibility, D. Reidel, Dordrecht. Subcommittee on Human Gene Therapy, Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee: 1990, 'Points to consider in the design ~nd submission of protocols for the transfer of recombinant DNA into the genome of human subjects' , Human Gene Therapy 1, 93-103. VAUX, K.: 1974, Biomedical Ethics: Moralityfor the New Medicine, Harper and Row, San Francisco. WALTERS, L.: 1986, 'The ethics of human gene therapy', Nature 320,225-227. WEATHERALL, D.M.: 1991, 'Gene therapy in perspective', Nature 349,275-276. WHITEHEAD, ALFRED N.: 1929, The Aims of Education, MacMillan Co., New York.
Human Germ-Line Therapy: The Case for Its Development and Use BURKE K. ZIMMERMAN
ABSTRACT. The rationale for pursuing the development and use of germ-line selection and modification techniques is examined in this essay. The argument is to put forth that it is the moral obligation of the medical profession to make available to the public any technology that can cure or prevent pathology leading to death and disability, in both the present and future generations. Society should pursue the development of strategies for preventing
or correcting, at the germ-line level, genetic features that will lead to, or enhance, pathological conditions. Because prenatal screening and even early embryo screening and selection can prevent only a subset of known genetic disorders, direct genetic intervention is the only way in which certain couples can exercise their rights to reproductive health. Finally, the arguments most often raised against the pursuit of and use of methods for germ-line intervention shall be discussed.
47
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Support for the project which stimulated this issue was provided by a grant from the Ethics and Values Studies Program of the National Science Foundation (RII-8511073), with co-funding from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation, the NICHHD, or my current employer, the National Center for Human Genome Research.
REFERENCES CAPRON, A.: 1984, 'Human genetic engineering', Technology in Society 6, 23-35. COOK, ROBIN: 1989, Mutation, Berkley Books, New York. DANIELSON, H.: 1988, 'Gene therapy in man: Recommendations of the European medical research councils', Lancet i, 1271-1272. FLETCHER, J.: 1974, The Ethics of Genetic Control, Anchor Press, New York. FLETCHER, J.: 1983, 'Moral problems and ethical issues in prospective human gene therapy', Virginia Law Review 69,515-546. FLETCHER, J.: 1990, 'Evolution of ethical debate about human gene therapy', Human Gene Therapy 1,55-69. GLOVER, J.: 1984, What Sort of People Should There Be?, Penguin, Harmondsworth.
HARING, B.: 1975, Ethics of Manipulation: Issues in Medicine, Behavior Control and Genetics, Seabury Press, New York. JUENGST, E.: 1990, 'The NIH 'Points to Consider' and the limits of human gene therapy', Human Gene Therapy 1,425-433. MURRAY, T.: 1985, 'Ethical issues in genetic engineering', Social Research 52,472-489. RAMSEY, P.: 1972, 'Genetic therapy: A theologian's response', in M. Hamiton (ed.), The New Genetics and the Future ofMan , Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan. ROSENBERG, LEON.: 1987 'Gene therapy for inherited diseases', NRC NewsReport 37, 12-14. SCHIRMACHER, W.: 1987, 'Homo generator: The challenge of gene technology', in P. Durbin (ed.), Technology and Responsibility, D. Reidel, Dordrecht. Subcommittee on Human Gene Therapy, Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee: 1990, 'Points to consider in the design ~nd submission of protocols for the transfer of recombinant DNA into the genome of human subjects' , Human Gene Therapy 1, 93-103. VAUX, K.: 1974, Biomedical Ethics: Moralityfor the New Medicine, Harper and Row, San Francisco. WALTERS, L.: 1986, 'The ethics of human gene therapy', Nature 320,225-227. WEATHERALL, D.M.: 1991, 'Gene therapy in perspective', Nature 349,275-276. WHITEHEAD, ALFRED N.: 1929, The Aims of Education, MacMillan Co., New York.
Human Germ-Line Therapy: The Case for Its Development and Use BURKE K. ZIMMERMAN
ABSTRACT. The rationale for pursuing the development and use of germ-line selection and modification techniques is examined in this essay. The argument is to put forth that it is the moral obligation of the medical profession to make available to the public any technology that can cure or prevent pathology leading to death and disability, in both the present and future generations. Society should pursue the development of strategies for preventing
or correcting, at the germ-line level, genetic features that will lead to, or enhance, pathological conditions. Because prenatal screening and even early embryo screening and selection can prevent only a subset of known genetic disorders, direct genetic intervention is the only way in which certain couples can exercise their rights to reproductive health. Finally, the arguments most often raised against the pursuit of and use of methods for germ-line intervention shall be discussed.
