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Judaism, genetic screening and genetic therapy
1Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Services at Queens Hospital Center, Jamaica, NY 11432, USA.
The Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine, New York
|December 9, 1998
Summary
Judaism permits genetic engineering for disease treatment and prevention, viewing it as a mandate to heal. Genetic screening is encouraged to prevent hereditary diseases, with preimplantation screening preferred over abortion.
Area of Science:
- Medical Ethics
- Genetics
- Religious Law
Background:
- Jewish law traditionally emphasizes healing and preserving life.
- Genetic engineering presents new possibilities for treating and preventing diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the permissibility of genetic engineering and screening within Jewish law.
- To provide guidance on the ethical considerations of these technologies in Judaism.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Jewish legal sources and rabbinic responsibilities.
- Examination of the application of genetic technologies such as gene therapy, screening, and cloning.
Main Results:
- Genetic engineering for disease treatment/prevention is permissible, aligning with the mandate to heal.
- Genetic screening (premarital, neonatal, preimplantation) is encouraged to prevent hereditary diseases.
- Abortion of affected fetuses is generally not permitted, with preimplantation screening being the preferred method.
Conclusions:
- Judaism supports the use of genetic technologies for therapeutic purposes.
- Ethical considerations include confidentiality and the distinction between therapeutic and non-therapeutic genetic modifications.
- Cloning for therapeutic agents is permissible, while altering non-beneficial physical traits is not.