Egalitarian Justice and the Prevalence Principle in Human Genome Editing

Area of Science:

• Bioethics
• Genetics
• Public Policy

Background:

• International bodies are debating ethical principles for human genome editing.
• The prevalence principle suggests genome editing is permissible only if it promotes prevalent traits, allowing disease correction but prohibiting enhancement.
• This principle is claimed to align with egalitarian justice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate if the prevalence principle aligns with egalitarian justice.
• To explore alternative egalitarian principles for governing human genome editing.

Main Methods:

• Philosophical analysis of the prevalence principle.
• Examination of prominent theories of egalitarian justice.
• Comparative analysis of genome editing governance frameworks.

Main Results:

• The prevalence principle is not adequately supported by egalitarian justice considerations.
• Egalitarian justice theories propose distinct approaches to genome editing governance.
• Four key egalitarian principles for policymakers were identified.

Conclusions:

• The prevalence principle is insufficient for guiding human genome editing ethically.
• Policymakers should consider a broader set of egalitarian principles.
• Anticipatory guidance for heritable and non-heritable genome editing requires a justice-informed framework.