Rs- Ethics (genetic Engineering-natural Law Flashcards
Natural law on embryo research ?
Primary precept-preservation of life
Secondary precept (rules we live by- human law) -using reason in right way- real good
To preserve life embryo research coil be justified (possible cures for diseases like Parkinson’s)
Not justified- embryos are destroyed be removal of stem cells/
Natural law is..?
Absolutist-universal moral code
Deontological- concerned with motive in an action-whether it results in a real good or an apparent good using reason (and natural moral law within)
Humans have a natural teleos
Natural Law on embryo research?
pp- preservation of life
go agsisnt this-embryo is destroyed by removal from stem cells
Hoever, depends on person’s beleif about personhood (embyos moral status)
Sanctiy of life- but Aquinas didn’t be;live ti was a person until movement in womb (Elizabth’s quickening in the womb)
Robert Edwards- wrong to create specificlaly for research/Nicole Gerrand- no inrtinisc difference to spare embryos
Natutal LAw on modyifying crops?
GM crops- agaisnt
involves intruding on GOd’s antual processes
manupilation of God’s creation -link to external law
explouited workers from multinational co-operations- God’s sacred life
Howver, Golden Rice-prevent blindness (crops are engineered contain beta carotene
hwlp malnourishment for half a billion people-links to preservation of life
Is this fulfilling God’s purpsoe though?
Usnign natural law-syndersis- our inbuidlt conscience tells us to help people- GOd did provide su with our intelelct for a reason
Jesus- Divine Law- curing the blind
Human genetic enginnering- natural law?
Against it
Embryo screening>genetic diorders>replace fualty sections of DNA with healthy ones
Soem people fear’dersigner babies’- interferring with God’s creation/threaten an ordered society
‘You saw me before I was born’- Psalm 139
potential to lsoe god-given indivuality
Howver, purpose is to remove disorders- does that amke other forms of medical intervention not accpetable?
NL accepts thwe Doctrine of Double Effect- altering DNA with the intention of saving a baby’s life-
Saviour Siblings- apply doctirne of sdouble effect- good as preservaton of life, HEFA- gudielines for it onyl being life-threatenign conditions
Howver- treatign the sibling a a means to an end, not following God’s purpsoe, inteferring with his creation and Singer- qualtiy of life- effect on the saviour sibling (apparent good)
Other forms of genetic engineering like cloning, eugenics?
NL would be agaisnt for clonging- loses indivualtiy, intyerre with God’s process, ‘playing God’,
Animals- prreciosu but not sacred>so if they were being clones to save humans lives this would probably ne a real good (used animals in the Bible)
Eugneics- selective breeding, breed desirbel charactersitis- who but God ahs the right to choose peoples charctersitics- comparabelt o Nazi regime
NL is mainly agisnst..?
geentic wenginnering - becaus eof primary precepts and God’s prupsoe and his plans for creation. Some are more accpetable espeiclaly GM crops becuase fo the lives they could save- follwoing Jesus but ones involving himan sacred life are more controversial
