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The Human Genome Project, discoveries in molecular biology, and new reproductive technologies have advanced our understanding of how genetic science may be used to treat persons with genetic disorders. Greater knowledge may also make possible genetic interventions to "enhance" normal human characteristics, such as height, hair or eye color, strength, or memory, as well as the transmittal of such modifications to future generations. The prospect of inheritable genetic modifications, or IGMs, whether for therapeutic or enhancement purposes, raises complex scientific, ethical, and regulatory issues. Designing Our Descendants presents twenty essays by physicians, scientists, philosophers, theologians, lawyers, and policy analysts addressing these issues from diverse perspectives. In three sections, the authors discuss the short- and long-term scientific feasibility of IGM technology; ethical and religious issues related to safety, justice, morality, reproductive rights, and enhancement; and regulatory issues including the necessity of public input and oversight and the influence of commercialization. Their goal is to open a dialogue engaging not only scholars and scientists but also government officials and concerned citizens. The authors conclude that while IGM cannot be carried out safely and responsibly on humans utilizing current methods, it is important to begin public discussion now to determine whether, and if so how, to proceed.

Table of Contents

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  1. Cover
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  1. Title Page, Copyright
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  1. Contents
  2. pp. v-vii
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  1. List of Contributors
  2. pp. ix-x
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  1. Preface
  2. p. xi
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  1. PART I: Introduction
  1. 1 Framing the Issues
  2. pp. 3-19
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  1. 2 Germ-Line Dancing: Definitional Considerations for Policy Makers
  2. pp. 20-36
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  1. PART II: Scientific Considerations
  1. 3 Approaches to Gene Transfer to the Mammalian Germ Line
  2. pp. 39-54
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  1. 4 Scientific Methodologies to Facilitate Inheritable Genetic Modifications in Humans
  2. pp. 55-67
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  1. 5 Germ-Line Modification in Clinical Medicine: Is There a Case for Intentional or Unintended Germ-Line Changes?
  2. pp. 68-76
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  1. 6 Gene Repair, Genomics, and Human Germ-Line Modification
  2. pp. 77-92
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  1. 7 Germ-Line Gene Therapy: Can We Do It, Do We Need It, Where Do We Start, and Where Might It Lead?
  2. pp. 93-102
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  1. PART III: Ethical and Religious Issues
  1. 8 The Moral Impasse in Human Embryo Research: Bypasses in the Making?
  2. pp. 105-129
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  1. 9 The Implications of Inheritable Genetic Modifications for Justice
  2. pp. 190-155
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  1. 10 The Hidden Eugenic Potential of Germ-Line Interventions
  2. pp. 156-178
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  1. 11 Ethical Differences between Inheritable Genetic Modification and Embryo Selection
  2. pp. 179-187
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  1. 12 Human Limits: Theological Perspectives on Germ-Line Modification
  2. pp. 188-198
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  1. 13 Germ-Line Intervention and the Moral Tradition of the Catholic Church
  2. pp. 199-211
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  1. 14 Uncountable as the Stars: Inheritable Genetic Intervention and the Human Future— A Jewish Perspective
  2. pp. 212-237
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  1. 15 Parental Liberty and the Right of Access to Germ-Line Intervention: A Theological Appraisal of Parental Power
  2. pp. 238-251
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  1. 16 Inheritable Genetic Modifications: Do We Owe Them to Our Children?
  2. pp. 252-272
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  1. PART IV: Policy Issues
  1. 17 National Policies to Oversee Inheritable Genetic Modifications Research
  2. pp. 275-295
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  1. 18 Designing Tomorrow’s Children: The Right to Reproduce and Oversight of Germ-Line Interventions
  2. pp. 296-310
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  1. 19 To Market, To Market: Efiects of Commerce on Cross-Generational Genetic Change
  2. pp. 311-325
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  1. 20 Recommendations for Policy
  2. pp. 326-332
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  1. Appendix A. Consent Form for Participation in a Study of Inheritable Germ-Line Modification
  2. pp. 333-346
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  1. Appendix B. AAAS Report on IGM: Major Findings, Concerns, and Recommendations
  2. pp. 347-350
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  1. Appendix C. IGM Project Working Group
  2. pp. 351-354
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  1. Index
  2. pp. 355-370
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