This volume applies the principles of Christian ethics in examining recent significant developments in the science of genetics. Derived from a modified version of virtue ethics, the book draws particularly on a classical understanding of the virtues, especially prudence or practical wisdom and justice. It considers ethical issues arising out of specific practices in human genetics, including genetic screening, gene patenting, gene therapy and genetic counselling as well as feminist concerns. The book demonstrates that a theological voice is highly relevant to contested ethical debates about genetics.
Author(s): Celia Deane-Drummond
Year: 2006
Language: English
Pages: 306
Cover......Page 1
Half-title......Page 3
Title......Page 7
Copyright......Page 8
Dedication......Page 9
Contents......Page 11
General Editor’s preface......Page 13
Acknowledgments......Page 15
Introduction......Page 18
What is genethics?......Page 27
Genetics and human nature......Page 31
A virtue approach to genethics......Page 37
A recovery of prudence......Page 40
Justice, fortitude and temperance among the virtues......Page 47
Conclusions......Page 53
CHAPTER 2 Theological principles......Page 55
Michael Banner’s dogmatic ethic......Page 58
Process ethical alternatives......Page 63
Theological traditions as bases for ethics......Page 67
An alternative ethic rooted in wisdom......Page 72
Conclusion......Page 79
What is eugenics?......Page 81
Motivations for eugenics......Page 83
Eugenic propaganda......Page 86
Eugenic policies......Page 89
Population genetics and eugenics......Page 92
Paul Ramsey’s ‘fabricated man’......Page 97
Is clinical genetics eugenics in disguise?......Page 98
CHAPTER 4 Genetic testing and screening......Page 102
Finding the way through some definitions......Page 103
Genetic diseases: a medical viewpoint......Page 105
Testing children......Page 107
Prenatal and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis......Page 110
Genetic screening for known or suspected genetic disorders......Page 114
Population genetic profiling: the uk Biobank......Page 118
Conclusions......Page 125
What is genetic counselling?......Page 127
Counselling in a risk society......Page 130
Counselling and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis......Page 134
Counselling and disability......Page 136
Affirming a suffering presence......Page 141
Beyond the precautionary principle......Page 143
Scientific issues in genetic intervention......Page 150
Somatic-gene therapy......Page 158
Inherited genetic modifications......Page 163
Rediscovering the virtues of prudence, justice and temperance......Page 169
Conclusions......Page 178
CHAPTER 7 Gene patenting......Page 186
What is patenting?......Page 187
Patenting in the USA and Europe......Page 189
Some case studies......Page 190
The churches’ response to the 1998 EU directive......Page 194
Theological arguments for and against gene patenting......Page 196
Philosophical issues......Page 201
Justice issues......Page 204
Broadening the theological agenda: benefit-sharing and the public good......Page 208
The cardinal virtues and the common good......Page 210
Conclusions......Page 215
CHAPTER 8 Women and genetic technologies......Page 217
From acceptance to resistance?......Page 218
An ethic of care?......Page 219
An ethic of justice?......Page 225
Towards autokoenomy......Page 229
Theological arguments in favour of more choice......Page 233
Theological arguments in favour of familial relationships......Page 236
Theological arguments in favour of feminist natural-law theory......Page 239
Theological arguments in favour of a recovery of practical wisdom and virtue......Page 240
Conclusions......Page 244
CHAPTER 9 Genetics and environmental concern......Page 246
The covenant community of nature......Page 248
Friendship in the context of a cosmic covenant community......Page 254
Charity, wisdom and genetic technologies......Page 260
In consideration of animals......Page 262
In consideration of agriculture......Page 267
Postscript: Concluding remarks......Page 271
Bibliography......Page 285
Index......Page 299
