Genetic Engineering: A Fundamental Moral Approach: Genetic Manipulation in Human Beings

by Robert J. Ackerman

Genetic A Fundamental Moral Approach. Recent discoveries in molecular biology have radically altered the science of genetics, posing new challenges for scientists and moralists alike. This new genetics requires a new model of creation that adequately addresses the weaknesses of two models of creation, the stewardship model and the co-creator model, that have been used to assess the limits and possibilities of genetic manipulation in human beings. Using a retrieved natural law approach, the author specifies a third model of creation that he calls "limited co-creator." As a corrective to the two earlier models, the limited co-creator model steers a middle course between prohibiting or severely limiting genetic manipulation and allowing unlimited genetic manipulation. This analysis will be of value to theologians, scientists, and general readers who are looking for a clearly articulated methodology that can be used to assess the feasibility of conducting genetic engineering in human beings prior to going down the clinical path.

228 pages, Paperback

First published April 6, 2010

About the author

Dr. Robert J. Ackerman is Professor Emeritus from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the previous Director of the Mid-Atlantic Addiction Research and Training Institute. He is co-founder of the National Association for Children of Alcoholics. He is the previous Editor of Counselor: The Magazine for Addiction and Behavioral Health Professionals and currently is the Chair of the Advisory Board.