Abstract

The argument of this dissertation regards the moral limitation on advancing biomedical knowledge in human genetics. The author discusses three general ethical schemes that contribute to the manner in which moral restriction develop. The central issue in the ethics of applying genetic knowledge is how to reconcile the apparent conflict between scientific explanations of human nature and human subjectivity, and to do so in a way that provides effective moral limits that protect human beings, as well as offer guidance to medical research. ;Current approaches are inadequate to perform this task. The scientific duty to advance knowledge that might benefit mankind does not provide adequate constraints on genetic interventions. Similarly, avoidance of pain and suffering as the single most important ethical goal of applied biomedical research is found to be unsound because it indicates, arguably, either the termination of life with respect to body cell therapy, or the potential for unlimited interventions with respect to germ-line manipulation. Furthermore, respecting individual autonomy does not set proper restrictions. From a slightly different perspective, romantic arguments respecting "nature" can turn out to be ambiguous in their recommendations on genetic control. With respect to these approaches, proponents assume some conception or quality of human nature to have paramount importance in deciding what genetic manipulations are appropriate for human beings. ;The author presents an approach in which the respect for human life is treated as a side-constraint that attaches to the scientific means-to-an-end pattern of reasoning. This restriction limits the types of genetic manipulations that may properly be carried out on human beings. It is also suggestive of legitimate lines of research to pursue. The image of man underlying this principle is one in which the whole individual is worthy of respect, regardless of imperfections. The argument is not intended to rule out any particular form of genetic intervention, but any particular form is permitted only insofar as it is aimed at restoring to health the complete human being.