Designer people: A case for the regulation of human genetic engineering

• Main Author: Jimenez, Arianne Vanessa Josephine T.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2009
• Subjects: Genetic engineering—Law and legislation—Philippines; Medical Jurisprudence
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/7478
• Institution: De La Salle University

Human Genetic Engineering technology, specifically Gene Therapy, Genetic Enhancement and Sex Selection now allows us to manipulate our genetic make-up, thus permitting the curing or prevention of certain types of genetic diseases. Also, it is now possible for scientists to be able to change and enhance human capacities, whether they be physical, cognitive, or emotional and select the sex of one's offspring, thus preventing the passing-on of genetic sex-related diseases. However, this technology has also been shown to result or has been demonstrated to have the capacity to give rise to specific negative consequences such as medical complications that can lead and have led to death, the exacerbation of existing social inequalities that can lead to discrimination based on one's genetic characteristics, the emergence of various societal ills related to a population with an imbalanced sex ratio, and the espousing of sexist attitudes that fosters sex-based discrimination. It is thus proposed that a law regulating such technology is not only beneficial and practicable, more importantly, it is necessary.