Ethical Controversies Involved in the Use of Germ-line and Somatic Gene Therapies

Ethical Controversies Involved in the Use of Germ-line and Somatic Gene Therapies

Abstract

There are many sides to the issue of using germ-line and somatic germ therapies.

Many people argue that it should be stopped completely, whereas others argue

that both germ therapies should continue for the benefit of all people. There are

other arguments that lie somewhere in between. Most of the controversy is caused

by germ-line gene therapy because it can be passed on through generations. Somatic

gene therapy has more support and funding but is still considered untrustworthy by

many who believe it may also affect the germ-line in some cases. These moral

arguments have called the stop to many cases and experiments, more so after a

patient treated with gene therapy dies.

In the ongoing fight for the elimination or continuation of gene therapy, there are four main positions (Sadler et al., 2005). One position is to bring an end to both germ-line and somatic gene therapy practices. This group argues that using gene therapy on humans is dangerous and that changing genes to attempt to make improvements is wrong. It is seen as creating the possibility to design children before birth and change mental and physical characteristics of the next generation, bringing an end to diversity (Sadler et al., 2005). In 2000, the American Association for the Advancement of Science banned “inheritable genetic modification” (Fischer, 2000). They believed that risks from the gene therapy procedures might not cause genetic problems for a few generations after the patient is treated. The AAAS suggested that trials and experiments with gene therapy be stopped.

Another position in the gene therapy ethical argument is to proceed with all gene therapy...

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