Genetic technology comprises technologies that intervene in the genetic constitution of the person. As a subclass of technology, it touches the body-soul unity of the person in a particularly fundamental way, since it operates upon the biological foundation of the body.
From a personalist perspective, every genetic-technological intervention must be measured against the personalist norm: the person may not be degraded into an object of biotechnical manipulation. The dignity of the person is inalienable and does not depend on her genetic endowment — it is grounded in personhood itself. Particular ethical gravity arises wherever genetic technology is applied to embryos or to future persons, since these persons cannot represent themselves.
Ontological Classification
Superordinate concept: Technology
Ontological relations:
- intervenes in: the genetic constitution of the person
- must be measured against: Personalist Norm
Bexten 2017, pp. 233–236 (embryo and first dimension), pp. 293–306 (oblivion of the person and technology).
Sources: Generated by querying the Personhood ontology.
Further sources:
- Singer, P.: Practical Ethics (1979/1993). Cambridge University Press. (Functionalist counter-position to the unconditional personal dignity of the embryo)