Human dignity and gene editing: Using human dignity as an argument against modifying the human genome and germline is a logical fallacy.

Abstract

EMBO Reports (2018) 19: e46789[OpenUrl][1][FREE Full Text][2] Human germline editing raises a number of essential ethical issues that have spawned intense debate. According to some bioethical arguments and legal documents, germline modification would threaten human dignity, since they consider the human genome as the physical representation [of human dignity]. This article will highlight the inherent contradictions of these arguments and argue that claims that germline editing would violate human dignity are invalid. > … respect for human dignity should actually support arguments to continue with genetic editing of embryos. The emergence of gene editing technology—particularly CRISPR‐Cas9—and the first experiments to modify the genome of human embryos have given rise to an intense ethical debate. Such an in‐depth discussion of the potential ethical, societal and medical implications is indeed highly relevant as modifications of the germline would not only affect individual patients or humans but the human species as a whole. In fact, the debate began even before the availability of the CRISPS/Cas system when the first gene therapies were developed to cure a few select pathologies. Time has not brought any general agreement, and a universal consensus on whether or not to allow human germline editing is still remote. ### The debate While some commentators call for a total ban on any form of gene editing that affects the human germline [1], others advocate for a moratorium until the risks have been sufficiently addressed and resolved [2]. Other authors even claim that germline editing should be considered a moral imperative to improve the human species [3]. Similar disagreements exist about the ends to which these techniques should be applied. Some consider that only therapeutic purposes are acceptable; others support their use for human enhancement, a view that many bioethicists and most international declarations and conventions consider as a form … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DEMBO%2BReports%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.15252%252Fembr.201846789%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F30237156%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/ijlink?linkType=FULL&journalCode=embor&resid=19/10/e46789&atom=%2Fembor%2F19%2F10%2Fe46789.atom