Skip Navigation

Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 1991 16(6):593-612; doi:10.1093/jmp/16.6.593
© 1991 by Journal of Medicine and Philosophy Inc.
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Zimmerman, B. K.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Zimmerman, B. K.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

© 1991 by The Society for Health and Human Values

Human Germ-Line Therapy: The Case for Its Development and Use

Burke K. Zimmerman, Ph.D.

Spectrum International P.O. Box 120, SF-02631 ESPOO, Finland.


  Abstract

The rationale for pursuing the development and use of Germ-Line selection and modification techniques is examined in this essay. The argument is put forth that it is the moral obligation of the medical profession to make available to the public any technology that can cure or prevent pathology leading to death and disability, in both the present and future generations. Society should pursue the development of strategies for preventing or correcting, at the Germ-Line level, genetic features that will lead to, or enhance, pathological conditions. Because prenatal screening and even early embryo screening and selection can prevent only a subset of known genetic disorders, direct genetic intervention is the only way in which certain couples can exercise their rights to reproductive health. Finally, the arguments most often raised against the pursuit of and use of methods for Germ-Line intervention shall be discussed.

Keywords: Germ-Line therapy, pre-implantation embryo screening gamete modification, risk and uncertainty


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J Law Med EthicsHome page
H. Adams
A Human Germline Modification Scale
J. Law Med. Ethics, March 1, 2004; 32(1): 164 - 173.
[PDF]

Home page
 Public Understanding of ScienceHome page
B. K. Zimmerman
The use of genetic information and public accountability
Public Understanding of Science, July 1, 1999; 8(3): 223 - 240.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 Arch Fam MedHome page
C. Strong
Tomorrow's Prenatal Genetic Testing: Should We Test for 'Minor' Diseases?
Arch Fam Med, November 1, 1993; 2(11): 1187 - 1193.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.