Genetic Modification and Cloning

Paper Summary:

Recently human genetic material has been fused with animal cells and cloned. This opens up the possibility of developing organ banks for spare parts and then ultimately genetically modified humans. This paper discusses the social and ethical implications of this technology covering areas such as gene therapy, cloning, mutations and organ banks.

From the Paper:

"At our present level of technology a more simple method of preventing genetic diseases or defects being perpetuated would be a "preventative therapy" of pre-implantation diagnosis, giving a couple the opportunity to a discard an embryo with defective genes. This track would not however benefit a couple that both have recessive genes for an illness such as cystic fibrosis. A couple such as this where all embryos would be genetically defective, would be better off using donor sperm or ova backed up by supportive counselling instead of using gene therapy with all its risks. Because such a small minority of couples are in such a position, the medical and scientific community is very hesitant to apply gene therapy at the present time in such situations. (British Medical Association, 1992)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• British Medical Association, 1992, "Our Genetic Future, The Science and Ethics of Genetic Technology", Macdonald, Dr N. (ed), Oxford University Press, Oxford.
• Harris, J., 1993, "Wonderwoman and Superman - The ethics of Human Biotechnology", Oxford University Press, Oxford.
• Nussbaum, M.C and Sunstein, C.R., 1999, "Clones and Clones", W.W. Norton and Company, New York.
• Suzuki, D. and Knudtson, P., 1988, "Genethics", Allen and Unwin, Sydney.

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