Abstract
In this section we cover current governmental regulation and think tank policy proposals concerning gene editing. We indicate that no consensus has been forthcoming among scientists regarding the imposition of prohibitions or moratoriums to germ line editing. In March 2019, eighteen scientists and ethicists from seven countries called for an international governance framework, including a global moratorium on changing heritable DNA (in sperm, eggs, or embryos) to make genetically modified children. They propose the “establishment of an international framework in which nations, while retaining the right to make their own decisions, voluntarily commit to not approve any use of clinical germline editing unless certain conditions are met.” Others have chimed in such as: The New England Journal of Medicine, which published two articles, both strongly in favor of germ line editing. This position supports much of which is already occurring in the field. The American Academy of Science and others have scheduled a worldwide conference to discuss policy.
Can there be anything more splendid than to put the whole world into commotion by a few arguments?—Voltaire
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Notes
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The rationalization to use weapons systems on civilization populations makes the point. Genetic engineering has the potential to ameliorate suffering, but what rationalizations will accompany its use to further a political or economic agenda?
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A November 27, 2018, article in Nature, International Journal of Science, How the genome-edited babies revelation will affect research, gives a summary of what was concerning to many of the attendees. See, https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-07559-8.
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In early 2019, acknowledging that clearer guidelines are needed, a commission was being organized by the U.S. National Academy of Medicine to deal specifically with gene editing projects involving human embryos.
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International Commission Launched on Clinical Use of Heritable Human Genome Editing. See, http://www.nationalacademies.org/gene-editing/international-commission/index.htm (last visited 05/22/2019).
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In 1994, over thirty organizations representing indigenous peoples passed formal declarations against patents on life forms and indigenous knowledge. In 2003, the U.S. Congress passed an amendment which made it illegal for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office grant patents on human organisms, including fetuses and embryos. European Parliament and Council. European Directive on the Legal Protection of Biotechnological Inventions. 1998. Accessed 5 June 2006. Available: http://europa.eu/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/1998/l_213/l_21319980730en00130021.pdf.
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Carvalko Jr., J.R. (2020). Virtuous Deliberations. In: Conserving Humanity at the Dawn of Posthuman Technology. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26407-9_53
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26407-9_53
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