COMSCI 5 |
| The precautionary principle (PP) has recently been invoked in the debate about the use of genomic information in human reproductive decisions. PP instructs us that " . . . lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation." Applied to Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD), PP seems to argue against this assisted reproductive technology that allows parents to identify embryos inheriting genetically based diseases from the parents. Embryos brought to term, notes one commentator, may be “carriers of serious mutations and deformities” and because “the cells of the embryo at this stage are totipotent there is no a priori argument for why deleterious impacts might not enter the germline. A monstrous irreversible side effect!” Is PGD “the grossest violation” of PP because it may have side effects that are "monstrous, irreversible?" Yes and no. I will show that PP commits us to each of the following propositions: 1) We must not allow PGD. 2) We must allow PGD. As 1) and 2) are plainly contradictory, defenders of PP should explain why its policy implications are not incoherent.
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Genetic Screening and Diagnostic Testing: Do You Really Want to Know?
12:00 PM-1:10 PM, Tuesday, August 21, 2007 Sheraton Boston -- Back Bay Blrm A, Oral
Committee on Science |