Jomes Wotson
Taking into account the rapid political-economic changes that have taken place on a global scale over the last decades, with increasing urgency of the subject, the author proposes to continue with the H u m a n Genome Project, and to avoid future rejection of the project through public opinion, this program must be presented to society, including the ethical considerations involved.
Approaches to contigs
Cosmids
The problem of closure and the promise of convergent technologies
Wo/ter Gilbert
The French government has undertaken a national program on the Human Genome covering aspects such as: coordination of activities, sequencing and A D N mapping, disagreement on data processing systems and people's training and education, and transfer of information. Regarding the ethical implications caused by genetic research, the French option believes that it is extremely important to set up internal debates in which all social sectors are represented. At the same time, it points to the need for a differential ethical discussion about the possible solutions that can be proposed.
Hans Martin Sass
Germán science policy and the Human Genome Project
Alternatíve groups argumentation against Human Genome Projects
Academíc and professíonal bíoethical debates
- PROBLEM I D E N T I F I C A T I O N a) Collecting technical data
- DEVELOP A L T E R N A T I V E S C E N A R I O S FOR A C T I O N a) Establish reasonable possibilities f o r each scenario
- PRESENT A SET O F A L T E R N A T I V E S C E N A R I O S a) Discuss uncertainty in each scenario prognosis
- F O R M U L A T E A J U S T I F I C A T I O N FOR Y O U R SELECTION a) Specify y o u r reasons f o r t h e selected course of action
Stellungnahme des Vorstandes zu 'Praediktive Medizin: Analysis des menschlichen Genoms', Deutsches Aerzíeb/ott, 85 (Heft 50, 15. Dez. 1988), p. Public declaration on gene technology and on the human applications of reproductive and genetic engineering, adopted by the 8th. The author suggests that the meaning of ethics is not clear-cut and that by shielding themselves behind it, many people may be deprived of the benefits that the Human Genome Project can contribute, a project that, on the other hand, carries no more risks than any other human activity. .
The effectiveness of the project must be judged according to the strength of the resulting balance between advantages and disadvantages that it can offer. In addition, the author insists on the planning of the control of its possible dangers and this can be brought out on three levers: professional ethics, legislative control and by means of international agreements. The Human Genome Project in the UK is a modest one and there is currently an emphasis on the work of co-ordinating and facilitating research, as well as demonstrating existing capabilities and encouraging interest in UK industry.
A view from the 77 United Kingdom
Regarding the ethical aspect of the project, an agreement has been reached in Italy, according to which gene therapy of somatic cells is allowed, but not of germ cells. And as for the danger of potential discrimination against carriers of abnormal traits, it is thought that laws and professional codes of ethics could regulate this. 36 Table I: Partial list of activities of the Italian Human Genome Project and international collaborations.
36 Table I: Partial list of activities of the Italian Human Genome Project and of the international collaboratíons
The ethics developed in the USSR were steeped in orthodox Marxism and had a strong political component. Today, the H u m a n genome project o/so is being developed in the USSR, bes/des is the first in this field of human genetics. The scientists in charge of the project are of the opinion that it will characterize man as a species and not as an individual.
Therefore, it seems that the possible impact on society of the knowledge of the human genome, and/or on the destiny of man, would be the last phase of the project on a much more long-term basis. But with reservations for the future, Soviet scientists consider a person's genome to be his or her own exclusive property, as part of human rights. In the US, the H u m a n Genome Project is a well-established, specific large-scale reality, with prospects for future expansion and clear goals that define it: high-resolution m a p p i n g o f the H u m a n genome; complete sequencing of the human D N A and of model biologica.
In order to follow the program and its objectives, certain scientific procedures have been drawn up to be followed, which could be changed periodically in the light of the discovery of new technologies and experimental results.
Quote
Unquote
Op. cit
Reporta ti Komision ti Panagsaludsod ti Bundestag ti Pederal a Republika ti Alemania, 'Dagiti posibilidad ken peggad ti bioetika ti teknolohia ti gene, 254 p. Reporta iti Pederal a Ministro ti Interior ken ti Ministro ti Hustisia ken Pulisya, Bern, Switzerland, Agosto 1988, p. Nailian a Konsultatibo a Komite iti Etika para iti Biag ken Siensia ti Salun-at, Biomedikal a Panagsukisok ken Panagraem iti Tao a Tao, Paris, 1987.
Laswel et Chen L : Droits de l'homme et ordre public mondial : les principes fondamentaux Laswel et Chen L : Droits de l'homme et ordre public mondial : les politiques fondamentales du droit international de la dignité humaine. Klaus D e m e r, « Le génie génétique et l'homme : implications éthiques d'un nouveau défi », dans Les débuts biologiques de la vie humaine :.
The Catholic Church recognizes the value of basic scientific research and attaches great importance to the progress resulting from applied research in general and from the Human Genome Project in particular. Nevertheless, she accepts genetic therapy in somatic cells and supports the approach of predictive medicine designed to protect the family and the population, even though she knows that this will create conflicts between the right to freedom of healthcare on the one hand, and the rights from other programs or communities on the other side. Instruction on respect for human life in its origins and on the dignity of pro.
The position of ¡síam is to support science and scientific development by encouraging people to acquire more knowledge in all areas. However, based on the commandments of the Qur'an - the sacred code of law that governs all activities of Muslim men - Islamic theologians categorically reject any form of artificial reproduction using the sperm of a donor other than the husband, as well as any form of artificial reproduction. artificial reproduction using the sperm of a donor who is not the husband. that leads to the destruction of the embryo. Muslim moralists believe that science should coexist with religion and ethics and believe that its many applications should be controlled.
To be more precise, they support a moratorium on genetic engineering and artificial reproduction as applied to humans.
Insemínatíon of a married woman wíth the sperm of a donor other
Destruction of the zygote
Conclusión
Knowledge of the human genome and the possibility that this information can be used to alter human genetics raises certain ethical issues.
Philosophical approach
Specífíc ¡ssues addressed
34; Biotechnology: its challenges to the Churches and the W o r l d " are two documents published by the National Council of the Churches of Christ of the United States and the World Council of Ecclesiastical Sub-unities respectively. Both reports consider ethical and ethical sub-units. legal aspects derived from projects on human genetics, such as that concerning the human genome.The latter of these consider matters such as banning gender bans or warnings about possible social discrimination that knowledge of the human genome may give rise to, among others.
Recommendations and proposals 149
Límíts to knowledge, limítation on research and productíon
Nevertheless, these and other experiences have shown how erroneous it is to try to reduce human Ufe to biology, disregarding ethical and social considerations on which human rights are based. In this sense, the Human Genome Project must show respect for Ufe and the various inaccuracies of the eugenics movement too much. This is another question about man that can be clearly interpreted from a religious point of view.
This analysis begins with the premise that man was created in the image and likeness of God, from which derive solutions that can be understood from a political-social a n d biological perspective. This function can be understood as a capacity to m a n i p ú l a t e a n d, it is this interpretation that must be carefully analyzed if a moral justification for certain applications of science and technology is not to be made. On the contrary, it is a capacity that must be borne with humility, considering that man, the scientist, faces problems with the category of mysteries that are difficult to realize.
The only solid piece of scientific truth of which I feel absolutely certain is that we are profoundly ignorant of nature. We do not yet understand everything we see about us, but we are assured that it is all understandable, everything can be described in terms of chemistry - of molecular structure and interaction between molecules. A problem is something which I encounter, which I find complete before m e , but which I can therefore besiege and reduce.
A real problem is subject to an appropriate technique, by the application of which it is defeated: while a mystery, by definition, transcends any conceivable technique. M o o r e quotes this eminent scholar this way: [Schrodinger sid]: "There is one thing that the Greeks knew and that we have forgotten... 'Modesty!'" I [Bernstein] thought he meant by this Sibylline remark.
Jomes S. Grisolía
