Beyond Nature? Genomic Modification and the Future of Humanity
Law and Contemporary Problems, Vol. 81, 2018
Virginia Public Law and Legal Theory Research Paper No. 2018-48
21 Pages Posted: 23 Aug 2018 Last revised: 28 Nov 2018
Julia D. Mahoney
University of Virginia School of Law
Gil Siegal
University of Virginia School of Law; Kiryat Ono College, Israel
Date Written: August 20, 2018
Abstract
Recent breakthroughs have moved heritable human genetic modification from the realm of science fiction to the cusp of reality, lending urgency to questions regarding how and for what purposes new technologies will be deployed. This article rejects the conventional view that modifying the human genome in ways that promise to extend to later generations poses such grave dangers that efforts to do so should be undertaken--if at all--with extreme caution. Although heritable human genetic modification entails risks, both present and future generations will likely be better served by the aggressive pursuit of further advances. This article also explains how the ease of use of novel interventions such as CRISPR to modify the human genome--what we term "genomic moonshining"--are eroding the ability of government regulators, professional organizations and others to control the creation and dissemination of knowledge.
Keywords: genetics, genome, nature, eugenics, biomedical, bioethics, innovation, inequality, regulation, nonprofit, technology, knowledge, CRISPR
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Julia D. Mahoney (Contact Author)

University of Virginia School of Law ( email )
580 Massie Road
Charlottesville, VA 22903
United States
434-924-3942 (Phone)
Gil Siegal

University of Virginia School of Law ( email )
580 Massie Road
Charlottesville, VA 22903
United States
434-243-8541 (Phone)
434-924-3517 (Fax)
HOME PAGE: www.law.virginia.edu/fac/gs6x
Kiryat Ono College, Israel ( email )
104 Zahal St.
Kiryat Ono, 55000
Israel
972-3-50-380-4420 (Phone)
972-3-530-3960 (Fax)
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