Towards an International Ethical, Social and Political Accord on Human Cloning and Human Species - Alteration
By admin
| 11. 01. 2002
Abstracts from presentations at "Sixth World Congress of Bioethics"
Session Abstract
The new human genetic technologies present a threshold challenge
for humanity. If used properly they hold great promise for treating
disease and alleviating suffering. If abused they could open
the door to a powerful new eugenics that would objectify human
life and undermine the foundations of human society. The rapid
development of these technologies has created a civil society
deficit. Neither policy makers nor mass publics have had time
to fully understand the ethical, social and political stakes
and to consider appropriate responses. There are few broadly-based
popular institutions seeking to articulate and argue for human
genetics policies based on human rights, social justice and
global inclusion. In recent years advocates of a new eugenic
future for humanity have become increasingly vocal and explicit.
It is imperative that concerned leaders and others repudiate
this vision. Bans on the most dangerous eugenic technologies,
and regulation of other technologies to prevent abuse, need
not impede potentially beneficial medical research and applications.
The minimal core policies needed to protect our common human...
Related Articles
Not the species, certainly, but the Institute of that name, which was founded by transhumanist philosopher Nick Bostrom in 2005 as a research group at Oxford University. According to a recently posted Final Report, its goal was “to pursue the big questions in a transdisciplinary way” by pulling together “researchers from disciplines such as philosophy, computer science, mathematics, and economics.” This evolved before long into the study and promotion of “effective altruism” and “longtermism” as...
By Tomoko Otake, The Japan Times | 04.09.2024
A decade ago, researcher Haruko Obokata caused a sensation when she published two papers in the journal Nature, in which she claimed that she had discovered a way to create stem cells easily using the so-called STAP method.
With STAP...
By Yelena Biberman and Jonathan D. Moreno, Bioethics Forum | 04.16.2024
A quiet biological revolution in warfare is underway. The genome is emerging as a new domain of conflict. The level of destruction that only nuclear weapons could previously achieve is fast becoming as accessible as a cyberattack.
Now for the...
By Justin McCurry, The Guardian | 04.01.2024
A Chinese scientist who was imprisoned for his role in creating the world’s first genetically edited babies says he has returned to his laboratory to work on the treatment of Alzheimer’s and other genetic diseases.
In an interview with a...