Abstract

CASANOVA PERDOMO, Ana Rosa. HUMAN GENE MANIPULATION TECHNOLOGIES AS TECHNOLOGICAL IMPERATIVE: ANALYSIS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF BIOETHICAL PRINCIPALISM AND THE PRINCIPLE OF RESPONSIBILITY. rev.latinoam.bioet. [online]. 2011, vol.11, n.1, pp.112-123. ISSN 1657-4702.

In this paper we exemplified by the analysis of new technologies of manipulation of human genes such as gene therapy and cloning, which is common to most branches of science: the technological imperative to apply all the technical capabilities acquired without considering the ethical implications they may have. Cloning by nuclear transfer, for example, has begun to be a scientific reality and the pressure exerted by sections of the scientific community and certain groups are creating a technological imperative against which it seems impossible to oppose or at least set a reflective dialogue. It is argued that the validity of anglo bioethical principles is limited to the sphere of reciprocal human effects, considering only the present humanity. Therefore, technologies such as somatic cell gene therapy can be supported by the principles and have no ethical problems different from other experimental therapy. An ethical decision with implications for the future must take into account the reasons for and against doing or not doing an investigation and thus new theoretical and methodological bases more comprehensive than the principles. We demonstrate the validity of Hans Jonas' principle of responsibility as and critical evaluation of science and modern technology, called to act with caution and humility in face of the tremendous transforming power of technoscience as the ethical order is present, not reality visible, but as an appeal that calls for calm, caution and balance.

Keywords : Gene therapy; cloning; bioethics; Anglo bioethics principles; technological imperative; Hans Jonas' principle of responsibility.

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