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KMID : 1172020000010010077
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Journal of Korean Bioethics Association
2000 Volume.1 No. 1 p.77 ~ p.97
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An Ethical Review of Gene Therapy
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Kang Mi-Jung
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Abstract
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This article aims at an ethical review of gene therapy. For this purpose, I try to understand the ethical significance by categorizing it into three parts : somatic cell gene therapy, germ-line gene therapy, and gene manipulation for the improvement of gene function. First of all, somatic cell gene therapy has the general agreement that it has no ethical problems because its techniques are the same as blood transfusion or organ transplantation. Furthermore the somatic cell gene therapy can solve the problem of selective abortion. However, since we cannot ignore the possibility that the somatic cell gene therapy can control human’s actions, we should limit this operation. Secondly, germ-line cell gene therapy is a hot issue. Some people support it because of its medical utilities, repect of the parent’s autonomy, the right of freedom on scientific study, and the duty of improvement of the future generation. On the contrary, I analyzed that some are opposed to it because of its scientific uncertainty, clinical risks(hazard), the slippery slope on the improvement of human species, the uncertainty of the approvement by the future generation, the distribution of resources, and the interference on the whole genetical endowment. Thirdly, gene therapy is related to the improvement of human traits. In general this claim has many objections, such as playing God, the call for eugenics, the impossibility of value agreement in the view of cultural relativism. However, the development of genetic engineering is transferring the objections to voices of support. For this we should try to make counter-plans. One way to do this is to emphasize the responsibility on future generations. To be moral, we must release the future generation free from genetic diseases. And thus we should eliminate the origin of injustice and unequality. Futhermore, we have the responsibility to pass down good genes to the future generation. This is a mental gene that will make up a world of peace and love.
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KEYWORD
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Gene Therapy, Somatic Cell Gene Therapy, Germ-line Cell Gene Therapy, Improvement of Human Traits, Mental Gene, Responsibility
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