Ethical and socio-cultural dimensions of human genome editing war against natural order

Ethical and socio-cultural dimensions of human genome editing war against natural order

Abstract: Human genome editing is part of scientific and human efforts to tackle health challenges and to improve health and general well-being. The World Health Organisation describes human genome editing as a method for making specific changes to the DNA of a cell or organism. The modification of human DNA carries with it, contemporary realities and challenges of ethical concerns and regulation. Subjecting human beings to such delicate procedure calls for scrutiny and meticulous monitoring because of the possibility of mutations and other medical issues that could endanger public health and infringe human rights. The concept of human rights is inherent in human beings simply because of their humanity and these rights are inalienable. They are based on respect for the individual, who has the right to be treated with dignity and Governments are obliged to protect and uphold the human rights of their citizens. This paper therefore attempts to identify and consider ethical and socio-cultural dimension of human genome editing paying due attention to moral conflicts that may occur. In doing this, principle of Utilitarianism and Universality of Rights will guide the study. Utilitarianism, as propounded by Bentham, prioritises the welfare of the greatest happiness of the greatest number. Whilst recognising the possibility of human rights infringement and the fact that encouraging genome editing may seem like “playing God”, with the tendency of getting out of hand, where the overall good outweighs the projected “evil”, it should be permitted. The paper adopts the doctrinal and analytical legal research methodologies.

KIULJ Volume. 5, Issue 2 (2023)

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Ethical and socio-cultural dimensions of human genome editing war against natural order