| dc.description.abstract | On Human Cloning and Genetic Enhancement: An Examination from the Perspective of Human Dignity
ABSTRACT
Although the development of genetic technology has brought tremendous benefits and medical improvement to mankind, it also caused much worry about its ethical, legal and social impacts. To these, there are strong criticisms. In particular, opponents worried that genetic technology would result in the manipulation of human nature, leading to degradation of human dignity. Human cloning and genetic enhancement are the rwo most controversial issues. They are the main theme of this thesis and I try to explore the claim that these two kinds of genetic technology may involve violations of human dignity, or damage to human dignity.
Human dignity is the most important keyword of my study. I examine first Kant’s and Confucian view on human dignity, because the main problem is that its meaning is abstract and unclear, resulting in many skeptical doubts. I shall argue with Kant’s help against the claim that human dignity is a useless concept. And, futher, with the help of the Confucian notion of the mind that could not bear the sufferings of others that even human moral patients enjoy the protection from human dignity.
Based upon the notion of human dignity of Kant and Confucianism, I try to argue that human cloning and genetic enhancement do not violate human dignity. Some of the accusations lie with wrong believes, as well as other improper motive, such as discriminatory attitudes in such employments. These could be and should be removed. However, when genetic enhancement is used as a competitive tool, we have to watch out that there are violations of human dignity since they may cause human materialization, gene commercialization and discrimination, which should be strictly prohibited.
Keywords: human dignity, human cloning, genetic enhancement, Kant, Confucianism, moral patient, end-in-itself formula, moral mind.
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