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Human Transgenesis: Definitions, Technical Possibilities and Moral Challenges

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Abstract

In this article, we examine the ethical implications of human transgenesis by considering the phenomenon in its larger evolutionary context. After clarifying the concept of transgenesis, we show that rather than unprecedented or unnatural, transgenesis is a common aspect of the evolutionary process that has likely affected all extant living animals, humans included. Additionally, we demonstrate that human transgenesis is technically feasible and that the moral barriers to it are mostly based on irrational fears premised on distorted and unrealistic views of “human nature”. Furthermore, we suggest that transgenically modifying persons might be morally preferable to relying blindly on the “natural lottery”, and that it is possible to do so in an ethical and responsible manner.

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Notes

  1. Science fiction classics such as “The Fly”, “The Island of Dr. Moureau” and “Frankenstein” are probably the greatest source of transgenesis-related fear (cf. Brem and Anijar 2003; Karpowicz 2003). It is very unlikely that transgenesis will cause severe morphological changes (cf. Powell and Buchanan 2011: 64).

  2. [N]aturae rationabilis individua substantia (Boecio 2005: 168).

  3. In fact, nature’s wisdom at large is a debatable proposition or ethical claim (cf. Bostrom and Sandberg 2009; Powell and Buchanan 2011).

  4. Take, for instance, a hypothetical transgenic intervention that would cause the growth of an extra arm and a brain–machine interface integration that would allow the exact same change to occur by different means (cf. O'Doherty et al. 2011).

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Acknowledgements

Brunello Stancioli acknowledges the support of CAPES – as a beneficiary of one of its scholarships for post-doctoral studies abroad – for his work on this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Microbiologia, ICB, UFMG, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Flávio Guimarães da Fonseca

  2. Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Daniel Mendes Ribeiro, Nara Pereira Carvalho, Mariana Alves Lara & Brunello Stancioli

  3. Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais – PUC/MG, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Antonio Cota Marçal

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  1. Flávio Guimarães da Fonseca
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Correspondence to Brunello Stancioli.

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da Fonseca, F.G., Ribeiro, D.M., Carvalho, N.P. et al. Human Transgenesis: Definitions, Technical Possibilities and Moral Challenges. Philos. Technol. 25, 513–524 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13347-012-0074-7

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