A Christian bioethical perspective on pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) and Genetic Manipulation (GM)

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: With the development and continued developing of medical technology, treatments become available without the time to reflect ethically on them. Given how fast things change in medical technology, it is important to constantly reflect anew. Ethical reflection, however, seems to be lagging far behind bio-technological developments. Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) and Human Genetic Manipulation (GM) is fast becoming an everyday reality and must therefore be reflected upon. Few Christian bioethical studies have been done on the impact that this could have on the larger populace, especially the local population in South Africa, where only a small percentage would be able to access these possible treatments.This study is motivated by the quest of ethicists in general and Christian ethicists in particular, to respond adequately and appropriately to the challenges posed by bio-technological developments. The study will outline and discuss the various Christian perspectives on PGD and GM. It will be shown that most Christian responses to bio-technological matters are done from within the framework of the doctrine of creation. In response, this study will then discuss a trinitarian perspective on the confession of God as creator and investigate whether this perspective might advance and enrich, and even amend, the quests of Christians to formulate ethical responses to the challenges posed by PGD and GM. I have made the decision to focus, for the most part, only on the work of one theologian, and will therefore be applying the trinitarian doctrine of creation as found in the work of Jürgen Moltmann to the development of a Christian bioethical perspective.Seeing that Christian ethics in general is concerned with human dignity, social justice and wellbeing, as well as moral upliftment, the ethical implications of this type of medical technology in the South African context, with its uneven distribution of wealth and access to medical care, must also be addressed from the perspective of this study. In this regard, the concept of human beings created imago Dei (in the image of God), with inherent human dignity, is of particular importance.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University