Getting too complicated & weird

English researchers, already having crossed into the Forbidden Zone, push the envelope a little bit more.

BRITISH scientists have been given permission to create human embryos that will have three genetic parents.

The fertility watchdog cleared a team at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne yesterday to conduct an experiment to prevent genetic disease by merging single-cell embryos with donated eggs.

The decision to approve the procedure on appeal, after two previous applications were rejected, is controversial because it could eventually lead to the birth of children who carry genes from two mothers and a father.

It also opens the possibility of “germ-line” genetic engineering, because any children born would carry added genes that would be passed to successive generations.

At present, gene therapy to alter defective DNA is permitted only when such changes would not be passed on.

In order for this research to move ahead, the national committee that governs such things had to rewrite its own rules.

Naturally the experiment is being done in the name of fighting genetic diseases, so how dare anyone criticize these loving, compassionate scientists for attempting to play God?

How dare we, indeed! There must be moral limits to science, else there is no need for morality and science becomes its own god. For instance, scientists might one day discover that they could extract energy by breaking the atomic bonds of ordinary matter, but in doing so would run the risk of destroying the earth. The mere risk of destroying the earth should be moral grounds enough to prevent further research and experimentation. But under prevailing attitudes, the research would proceed. How dare they criticize us for attempting to resolve for all time humanity's energy woes!

Genetic research and manipulation has similar risks for humanity. We do not know what we do not know, and the potential for harm is very great. Much greater, we believe, than the potential for good. Furthermore, the moral debate over whether humans should experiment with the genetic norm has not been resolved. It has barely begun.

But dollars are driving the science, and big corporations are investing heavily for big profits. They'll be damned if they'll let nagging questions of morality get in the way of the next big windfall.