Genetic Turning Points: The Ethics of Human Genetic Intervention

by Peterson, James C.

• ISBN13: 9780802849205
• ISBN10: 0802849202
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-04-01
• Publisher: Lightning Source Inc

Summary

This timely volume clearly lays out the central ethical questions raised by today's rapid advances in biotechnology. James Peterson sorts through the maze of clinical decisions occasioned by human genetic intervention, organizing the range of moral considerations that now face us and exploring their practical impact on individuals, families, and communities.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xv
Introduction	1	(3)
Why Focus on Human Genetic Intervention?	4	(4)
Why Ethics?	8	(7)
The Need for Clarity	8	(2)
The Need for Widespread Reflection	10	(2)
The Need to Think Ahead	12	(3)
Why Include Christian Resources?	15	(2)
Book Structure	17	(6)
In Broad Outline	17	(2)
Chapter by Chapter	19	(4)
CONTEXT
Science: To Better Understand Part of the World and Ourselves	23	(30)
Science and the Christian Tradition	23	(14)
Method	28	(5)
A History of Conflict?	33	(4)
The Science of Human Genetics in Particular	37	(6)
Genetics and the Human Body	37	(2)
Genetics and Human Behavior	39	(4)
Genes Illuminate Needed Attitudes	43	(8)
Humility	44	(1)
Respect	44	(2)
Community	46	(1)
Responsibility	46	(3)
Comparison	49	(2)
Chapter Summary	51	(2)
What Technology Can Do for Us and to Us	53	(11)
Technology Is Necessary	54	(1)
Technological Change Is Accelerating	55	(1)
Technology Is Becoming More Intricate	56	(1)
Technology Is Formative	57	(4)
Technology Is Malleable	61	(2)
Chapter Summary	63	(1)
The Purpose of Technology from a Christian Perspective: To Sustain, Restore, and Improve	64	(29)
The Point of Human Life	64	(3)
To Love God	64	(2)
To Love Your Neighbor as Yourself	66	(1)
The Place Where We Live	67	(22)
Creation: A Place to Choose and Care	67	(3)
Redemption: A Place to Be Reconciled and to Heal	70	(7)
Transformation: A Place to Grow and Develop	77	(12)
Chapter Summary	89	(4)
PART I GENETIC RESEARCH
Searching for Genes and the Individual	93	(14)
Worthy Goals and Significant Dangers	93	(4)
The Individual as a Voluntary Partner	97	(5)
Respect	97	(3)
Competence	100	(1)
Understood Disclosure	101	(1)
Genetic Research in Particular	102	(4)
Description of Purpose	102	(1)
Discomforts and Risks	103	(1)
Confidentiality	104	(2)
Chapter Summary	106	(1)
Searching for Genes and Family	107	(31)
Volunteering Someone Else	107	(1)
For Children	108	(2)
For Zygote, Embryo, Fetus	110	(27)
Scripture	113	(3)
Developmental Steps	116	(19)
Burden of Proof	135	(2)
Chapter Summary	137	(1)
Searching for Genes and Community	138	(11)
Group Consent	139	(2)
Gene Patents	141	(3)
Social Investment	144	(2)
Chapter Summary	146	(3)
PART II GENETIC TESTING
Testing Genes and the Individual	149	(22)
The Poliferation of Genetic Tests	149	(3)
To Treat Disease	152	(4)
Vigilance	152	(2)
Targeting Treatment	154	(2)
To Plan for the Future	156	(12)
The Problem of Probabilities	156	(8)
Value and Risk of Predictive Testing	164	(4)
Resources from the Christian Tradition	168	(2)
Chapter Summary	170	(1)
Testing Genes and Family	171	(35)
Family News	171	(5)
Sharing Genes	171	(1)
Duty to Tell or Hear?	172	(2)
Children as a Special Case	174	(2)
Decisive Procreation	176	(28)
Prospective Mates	177	(8)
Gamete Selection and Changing the Natural Course	185	(7)
Zygote Selection	192	(7)
Tentative Pregnancy	199	(5)
Chapter Summary	204	(2)
Testing Genes and Community	206	(25)
Insurance	206	(10)
Genetic Information and the Current System of Medical Insurance in the United States	206	(6)
Protecting Genetic Information as a Special Case	212	(3)
Providing a Decent Minimum of Health Care for All	215	(1)
Employers	216	(3)
Avoiding Costs	216	(2)
Employee and Customer Safety	218	(1)
Government	219	(5)
Identification	219	(1)
Cost Containment	220	(3)
The Influence of Public Policy	223	(1)
Church	224	(3)
Worship	225	(1)
Teaching	225	(1)
Caring	226	(1)
Chapter Summary	227	(4)
PART III GENETIC DRUGS: ADDING GENE PRODUCTS TO THE BODY
Genetic Drugs and the Individual	231	(22)
Intervention Only to Cure Disease	235	(9)
Disease as a Value-Free Description	239	(1)
Disease as a Rejected Physical State	240	(2)
Disease as a Hindrance to Basic Function	242	(2)
Intervention Only to Health	244	(4)
Definitions That Welcome Physical Improvement	245	(2)
Health as Tied to Our Current Condition	247	(1)
Holding the Line at Cure of Disease	248	(4)
Chapter Summary	252	(1)
Genetic Drugs and a Family's Children: Four Standards	253	(10)
Safe	254	(1)
Improvement for the Recipient	254	(5)
Open Future	259	(2)
Best Use of Limited Resources	261	(1)
Chapter Summary	262	(1)
Genetic Drugs and Community	263	(12)
Physicians and the Goals of Medicine	263	(3)
Government Interest in Equality of Opportunity	266	(5)
Affording Provision	268	(2)
Provision Across Borders	270	(1)
Chapter Summary	271	(4)
PART IV GENETIC SURGERY: CHANGING GENES IN THE HUMAN BODY
Changing Genes and the Individual	275	(31)
Possibilities	275	(3)
Improving Our Genes?	278	(10)
Physical Attributes Should Remain as They Are Now	279	(4)
Physical Attributes Should Change	283	(5)
Attitudes Encouraged by Intervention	288	(8)
Making People?	288	(3)
Staying Connected	291	(5)
The Case of Human Cloning	296	(9)
Inadequate Reasons	297	(2)
Reasons That Have More Weight	299	(2)
Concerns about Deliberate Genetic Twinning	301	(4)
Chapter Summary	305	(1)
Changing Genes and the Family Line	306	(16)
Distinguishing Somatic and Germline Intervention	307	(1)
Why Change the Germline?	308	(2)
Concern for Future Generations	310	(10)
Three Often-Voiced Constraints	315	(5)
Chapter Summary	320	(2)
Changing Genes and Community	322	(22)
Coercion and Eugenics	322	(8)
Racism	324	(3)
Using the Analogy	327	(3)
Welcoming Diversity	330	(2)
Who Decides?	332	(11)
Chance	332	(1)
Future Generations	332	(1)
Research Scientists	333	(1)
Physicians	334	(1)
Expert Panel	335	(1)
Parents	336	(1)
Legislatures	337	(4)
A Workable Model	341	(2)
Chapter Summary	343	(1)
A Concluding Perspective from the Christian Tradition	344	(8)
Genes Are an Important Part of Human Life	345	(1)
Genes Are Only a Part of Human Life	346	(4)
Genes Are Only Part of Our Physical Form	346	(1)
Our Physical Form Is Only Part of Human Life	347	(3)
So What Place for Human Genetic Intervention?	350	(2)
Author Index	352	(8)
Subject Index	360