Genetic

Engineering

Ethics BSN1F GRP REPORT

Introduction
John Lloyd D. Genelsa
 A Greek thinker named Protagoras (ca 490-
421 B.C) taught that “man is the measure of all
things, of things that are that they are and of
things that are not that they are not” (Fuller: 103-
105). His teaching is known as “the man-
measure principle”. In his view, man is the
center of all value and meaning. Without man
there is no science, philosophy, religion and
whatever else.
Genetic engineering is man’s newly-
discovered active role as God’s partner im
creation. For if creation is a continuous
process in which God and man are co partners
working together for the salvation of the whole
mankind, then any advancement of knowledge
in biomedical science and technology is
perceived as a significant expression of man’s
active and responsible participation in
harnessing human progress and development.
Genetic Engineering
Chromosomes, DNA,
and Genes
Chromosomes, DNA,
and Genes
Genetic testing
● GT refers to biochemical studies or chromosomal analysis for purposes of
detecting genetically-caused diseases. With the aid of genetic testing,
approximately 2, 300 genetically-related disorders have been identified. In
the medical context, genetic testing may be utilized for eugenic purposes.
Individuals who may be found “carriers” of recessive conditions or ny
genetically -related disorders may opt for sterilization or other forms of
contraception in order to prevent the transmission of genes and birth of
children with recessive disorders.
● Part of the medical profession believes that “genetic tests can help screen for
and diagnose a suspected disease, as well as give clues about prognosis”.
● Genetic testing has developed enough so that doctors can often pinpoint
missing or defective genes. The type of genetic test needed to make a specific
diagnosis depends on the particular illness that a doctor suspects.
Prenatal diagnosis
● A pregnant woman can ask for a procedure known as amniocentesis by and through
which the malformation or deformity of the fetus in utero can be detected as early as
the fifth month, or sixteenth week of pregnancy, onwards. A sample of amniotic fluid is
extracted from the sac that surrounds the fetus. This fluid, containing fetal cells, is
subjected to laboratory chromosomal analysis wherein genetic disorders can be
detected. Another prenatal procedure is fetoscope, which is used to visualize various
parts of the fetus, thereby detecting anatomical abnormalities in the developing fetus.
Other techniques for drawing samples of fetal blood from the placenta have also been
tested. In the medical context, if the diagnosis reveals that the fetus is afflicted with
any inborn error of metabolism, chromosomal abnormalities and variants, and
polygenic conditions the parents may use these data to decide whether or no to abort
the fetus.
● Screening tests can determine whether the baby is more or less likely to have certain
birth defects or genetic disorders, which may be inherited. Screening results along
with other risk factors, such as a woman's age and a couple's ethnic background and
family history of genetic disorders, are used to calculate the odds that the fetus might
be born with certain genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, Tay-
Sachs disease, or sickle cell anemia
Genetic Screening

Estephanie Ann M. Cortes

■ Genetic screening has the main purpose to
choose or select the genes for proper detection
of any genetic disease and any other
chromosomal activities/ malformities.
■ Individuals who are clinically well can be
screened to determine whether they are
carriers of recessive defective genes of certain
genetic disease.
Genetic Intervention

Estephanie Ann M. Cortes

● Genetic procedures by means of genetic
intervention, genetic control, genetic therapy,
genetic surgery, and gene-splicing, people can
now "intervene" in biological processes
● A person can now "control" bad or defective
genes that will most likely produce deformed or
retarded children in order to "redesign" them for
one's own ends.
● In the medical context, the recombinant DNA
technique might lead to the understanding and
control of molecular processes
IN VITRO
FERTILIZATION &
EMBRYO TRANSFER

John Lloyd D. Genelsa

-It is a fertilisation “within a glass” as
opposed to fertilization in utero, i. e.,
“within the uterus”. Also called as
“laboratory fertilization” as the fusion of
the generative cells is done in the
laboratory. The first such baby,
conceived “without love making”, was
Louise Joy Brown born on July 25, 1978
in England. The embryo was placed in
Mrs. Brown’s uterus two and a half days
after IVF, when it had reached only the
eight-cell stage. Louise was delivered
by cesarean section
Problem

Should an infertile couple be allowed to take the

risk of harming their offspring if it is not known
whether a serious harm is involved or it is known
that a serious harm is involved?
 PROS AND CONS
Genetic engineering and/or Embryo is viewed as a human being
reproductive technologies such us “in with the rights normally associated
vitro fertilization” and “embryo with personhood, arresting its
transfer” will be beneficial, useful, and development will be considered a
advantageous, and profitable to the wrong because it constitutes an act of
understanding of human murder. On the other hand, if the
reproduction, which would pave the embryo is perceived as a bit of
way for the discovery of medical protoplasm, neither freezing nor
drugs for fetal disorders and destroying it is inherently unethical.
children's diseases. (Pg. # 28) (Pg. # 9)
SEX SELECTION

Mondarte, Feby Camille

● allows parents to choose the sex or gender or their
offspring. It is also known as sex determination,
sex predetermination and sex preselection.
● this method may be traced back to the Egyptian
culture around 1350 BC.
There are different strategies that couples can
determine their child’s sex before conception

1. Consulting the Chinese calendar

2. Monitoring one’s menstrual cycle
3. Monitoring female orgasm
4. Vaginal rinsing
5. Timing semen ejaculaton.
 PROBLEM

From Danielle Lloyd’s situation of choosing a baby

girl for the gender of his fifth child this would raise
an ethical question of should parents be allowed
to select the sex of their children?
PROS

1. it could control of diseases such as sex-linked

and sex-influenced ones including hemophilia
and others including Parkinson’s disease.
2. it is a contemplated reduction of birthrate.
3. it is preventive of abortion
CONS

1. Unnecessarily tampering with nature,

especially among those who subscribe to the
principles of Natural Law ethics.
2. The sex of an offspring is willed by God.
 Sex selection is unnecessarily tampering with the nature,
this is under the principles of Natural Law. In Natural Law,
everyone has the right to live their life, therefore, whether the
sex of the baby is a girl or boy, the child has the right to live.
The act of abortion due to reasons pertaining gender
preferences is both morally wrong and considered
unacceptable. With the relation to Eternal Law, the child’s sex
is God’s will, it is not of the humans or with the parents. A
child, whatever the gender is, is God’s blessing.
 SURROGATE
MOTHERHOOD
● “Surrogate” means substitute, from the Latin surrogatus ‘in place of
another’
● is biomedical technique whereby a fertilized ovum is implanted into the
uterus of another woman who will carry the baby to term either as a
favour or for fee
● It is referred to as the “womb for hire” “rent a womb” or “uterus for
rent” business.
● After delivery, per agreement, she would give the baby to the couple
who are the genetic parents of the child.
 QUESTION:

Suppose you are born without a uterus, a natural defect –

something “unnatural” for a human being; you cannot carry a child,
which is again “unnatural” for a woman. Your ovaries, however, are
functional – you produce eggs. Modern medical science has a
technological solution to your natural defect or incapacity to carry a
child, namely: surrogate motherhood. Would you or would you not
undertake the process?
The ethical dilemma arises because of the collision of the rights that
are being realized by commercial surrogacy. There is a desire to
preserve personal autonomy and the right to a free-choice on the
one hand, and the moral responsibility toward the child that is
being born in this way and all the parental obligations on the
other.
Sex Change Operations
& Organic transplants
 Sex change Operations

-Two kinds of sex change operations:

● From male to female: testicles are removed, the penis
amputated, and an artificial vagina is constructed.
● from female to male: uterus and the ovaries are
removed, the breasts reduced, and an artificial penis is
stimulated.
-the change is only external
-A transsexual is an individual who is either male or
female but has a strong psychological desire to belong to
the opposite sex.
Organic Transplants

- involves replacing diseased organs with those taken from

animals or from other human beings
-Four kinds of transplantations:
● autograft (transplantation of skin from same individual),
● homograft (transplantation of an organ from one
individual to another of the same species),
● heterograft (transplantation of organs between different
species), and
● isograft (transplantation between two genetically
identical persons-- twins).
A 20 year-old nurse named George, who is biologically
born a male, begins to take on a transsexual identity
and is unsatisfied with the body he is born with. He
finds no joy and meaning in his day-to-day life as he
claims his external appearance does not match that of
his “true” inner identity. After full consideration, he
undergoes a sex change operation. George is very
happy. She does her job as a nurse with pride and
meaning, but faces discrimination often. In the
Philippines, should we regard these sex change
operations on George a way of granting what is due
to him/her therapeutically, thus, making it morally
permissible?
 Pros:
● Utilitarianism: Using the usefulness of an action’s
consequences to be the main indicator of right
behavior, George is able to live her life with a purpose
and is contributing more to society.
● Virtue Ethics: Aristotle recognizes happiness as the
ultimate purpose of a person. In that it is only when a
person achieves happiness that he/she becomes a
man/woman of true purpose. The operations gave
him/her happiness and, also, a new found purpose in
life. She is able to serve society better in this identity.
 Cons:
×Divine Command Theory: The Bible has only ever
mentioned of two sexes and each given at birth.
Whatever God makes is perfect and does not need
alteration.

×Natural Law Theory: Aquinas: In pursuit of happiness,

we develop the capacities given to us by God into a
disposition of virtue inclined toward the good. This
reveals that whatever we need to make us and others
happy is already God-given in ourselves; further external
modification is unnecessary.
 Cons:
×Natural Law Theory: Aquinas then goes on to say that we
are naturally intended and inclined to procreate. The act of
preventing the emergence of new life would be considered
unacceptable.

×Kant’s categorical imperative: we ask: “What if everyone

was obligated to change sexes when they have feelings that are
of the opposite sex?” This would lead to a world with no
boundaries on what a “female” is and what a “male” is,
since every homosexual male and female would become
the opposite and procreation would be further inhibited.