Abstract
The flashpoint for most current international discussions of policies to govern genetic engineering is the question of whether or not to allow scientists to pursue “germ-line gene therapy”: genetic engineering interventions that would effect changes in people that would be passed along to their offspring as a natural part of their genetic inheritance. The question of whether to proceed with germ-line gene therapy is usually posed as a question about our obligations to respect the interests of future generations. In this paper I agree with this general interpretation of the issue, but dispute an assumption that many analysts make in attempting to take the argument further. In short, I dispute the assumption that the proper objects of our concern in contemplating human germ-line engineering are the descendants of the engineered.
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Juengst, E.T. (1998). Should we Treat the Human Germ-Line as a Global Human Resource?. In: Agius, E., Busuttil, S. (eds) Germ-Line Intervention and Our Responsibilities to Future Generations. Philosophy and Medicine, vol 55. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5149-8_8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5149-8_8
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
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