Opening Comments at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) consultation on Human Enhancement
By Richard Hayes
| 06. 01. 2006
Mark Frankel asked if we’d share some general perspectives on what we believe to be the major challenges posed as we consider technologies of “enhancement.” I’d like to share the perspective of the Center for Genetics and Society, as well as what we’ve learned about the perspectives of a wide range of Americans and others.
CGS got started following a series of meetings held in 2000 on the social and political implications of the new human genetic technologies. The meetings brought together people concerned about social and economic justice, women’s health and reproductive rights, science and society, environmental protection, and the rights of the disabled.
Those participating became concerned when they learned how rapidly these new technologies were being developed, how profoundly consequential these could be, how thin were the few rules and regulations in place, and how well below the radar screens of both the general public and policy makers all this was.
A major concern was that use of these technologies could greatly exacerbate human inequality, in particular through a revival of eugenic technologies and ideologies, this time...
Related Articles
Any coverage of heritable genome editing since 2018 has to include discussion of the reckless experiments of He Jiankui and the births of the three “CRISPR babies,” about whom almost nothing is known even as they approach their fifth birthdays. But does it follow that the only way to write about heritable genome editing is to profile He Jiankui himself?
On the heels of his exclusive interview in January in The Guardian and subsequent coverage by Wired and NPR,...
By Heidi Ledford, Nature | 09.18.2023
A high-precision successor to CRISPR genome editing has reached a milestone: the technique, called base editing, has made its US debut in a clinical trial. The trial tests more complex genome edits than those performed in humans so far...
By Elayne Clift, Rutland Herald | 09.23.2023
A recent press release I received got me thinking about how much we really care about kids. The press alert came from the Coalition to Stop Designer Babies, which is organizing internationally to oppose efforts by some scientists and would-be...
By Leigha McReynolds, Tor | 09.19.2023
The 2011 X-Men franchise prequel, X-Men: First Class, briefly featured a mutant named Darwin who could adapt to any circumstances. For example, when he stuck his head in a fish tank he grew gills. Now if you’re a history...