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Genome Modifying Reproductive Procedures and their Effects on Numerical Identity
1a Scottish Council on Human Bioethics , Edinburgh , Scotland , UK.
Summary
New genome modification techniques raise ethical questions about identity. Origin Essentialism suggests these procedures create new individuals, potentially violating fundamental rights by selecting between persons.
Area of Science:
- Bioethics
- Genetics
- Philosophy of Identity
Background:
- Novel genome modification procedures like Maternal Spindle Transfer, Pronuclear Transfer, Cytoplasmic Transfer, and Genome Editing are under ethical review.
- Key ethical considerations involve the impact of these technologies on individual identity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present existing identity arguments concerning novel reproductive procedures.
- To introduce an alternative perspective using Origin Essentialism to analyze identity effects.
Main Methods:
- Review of current ethical assessments and identity arguments.
- Application of Origin Essentialism to reproductive technologies.
Main Results:
- Distinction between qualitative identity (modifying existing traits) and numerical identity (creating a new individual).
- Origin Essentialism posits that changes in conception conditions (biology, time, space) create a numerically distinct individual.
Conclusions:
- Genome modification procedures may result in the creation of new individuals.
- This constitutes a form of selection between potential persons, potentially contravening fundamental rights.
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