生命科技与人类命运:基因编辑的法理反思

Biotechnology and Human Destiny: A Jurisprudential Reflection of Human Gene Editing

基于"CRISPR/Cas9"的基因编辑技术的发明带来了生命科技领域的革命,同时引发了关于基因编辑技术之适用边界的伦理和法律争议。批评者基于反自然论证、风险论证和尊严论证主张人体基因编辑违反伦理,因此应该对其从法律上加以禁止。然而,这三种论证及其依据的传统伦理框架无法回应基因科技的真正伦理挑战,也不足以对人体胚胎的基因编辑构成有效反驳。基因科技并非带来尊严危机,而是带来了重新理解人之生命和主体地位的道德内涵的新契机。基于个体与人类命运在基因事务上的紧密同构性,基因科技能够促进个体与人类整体在共同利益上的同构性。在这个新伦理框架的引导之下,应该建构一种能够与对基因科技之伦理判断深层互嵌的法律规制体系。

The invention of genetic editing technology based on "CRISPR/Cas9" has brought about a revolution in the field of life sciences, and at the same time triggered ethical and legal disputes about the applicable boundaries of gene editing technology. Critics argue that genetic editing is a violation of ethics based on anti-natural argument, risk argument, or dignity argument, and should therefore be prohibited by law. However, these three arguments and the traditional ethical framework on which they are based cannot respond to the true ethical challenges of genetic technology after the pervasive research and application of CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Gene technology does not bring a crisis of dignity, but a new opportunity to re-understand the moral connotation of human life and subject status. Based on the close isomorphism of individual and human destiny in genetic affairs, genetic technology can promote the isomorphism of the individual and human beings in the common interest. Under the guidance of this new ethical framework, a legal regulatory system, which is deeply intertwined with the ethical judgment of genetic technology, should be constructed.