人类基因编辑的基督宗教视角

Christian Perspectives on Human Gene Editing

基因编辑技术(CRISPR)技术的出现标志着一个历史节点。人类第一次有能力通过技术改变其生物进化的过程。通过对人类基因进行编辑导致遗传性的变化,这种能力——仍在开发当中但尚未完全掌握——提出了三个相关的伦理和政策问题。我们应当充分允许这种做法吗?是否应当允许使用这种手段用于治疗目的,例如预防疾病?是否应当允许它用于改良基因,例如提高智力、强壮身体或延长寿命?鉴于世界伦理传统和政治制度的多样性,从美国、欧洲到中国以及亚洲其他地区,这些问题必将在全球范围内以不同的方式得到回答。本文探讨了在这场新兴的全球讨论中的基督宗教观点。作为世界性的宗教之一,基督宗教一直对生物伦理方面的辩论有着重大的影响,尤其是在美国和欧洲。本文探讨了基督宗教对人类基因编辑的观点,含括三个相关问题:胚胎的道德状况,儿童安康以及全球的共同利益。

The advent of CRISPR technology marks a historic juncture.For the first time humanity has the power to alter the course of its biological evolution through technology.The capacity to introduce heritable changes through human gene editing–still in development and not yet mastered–raises three related ethical and policy questions.Should it be permitted at all?Should it be permitted for therapeutic ends,such as the prevention of disease?And should it be permitted for enhancement,such as an increase in intelligence,physical fitness,or longevity?Given the diversity of the world’s ethical traditions and political systems,these questions are bound to be answered in different ways around the globe–from the United States and Europe to China and the rest of Asia.This article explores Christian perspectives in this incipient global debate.The world’s single largest religious community,Christianity continues to exercise significant influence on bioethical debates,particularly in the United States and Europe.The article explores Christian perspectives on human gene editing across three related issues:the moral status of the embryo,the welfare of children,and the global common good.