Martin, P.A. and Turkmendag, I. (2021) Thinking the unthinkable: how did human germline genome editing become ethically acceptable? New Genetics and Society, 40 (4). pp. 384-405. ISSN 1463-6778
Abstract
Two major reports in the UK and USA have recently sanctioned as ethically acceptable genome editing of future generations for the treatment of serious rare inherited conditions. This marks an important turning point in the application of recombinant DNA techniques to humans. The central question this paper addresses is how did it became possible for human genetic engineering (HGE) of future generations to move from an illegitimate idea associated with eugenics in the 1980s to a concrete proposal sanctioned by scientists and bioethicists in 2020? The paper uses the concept of a regime of normativity to understand the co-evolution and mutual shaping of technology, imaginaries, norms and governance processes in debates about HGE in the USA and UK. It will be argued that interlinked discursive, institutional, political and technological changes have made proposals for the use of genome editing in the genetic engineering of future generations both “thinkable” and legitimate.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an author-produced version of a paper subsequently published in New Genetics and Society. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | genome editing; gene therapy; IVF; ethics; eugenics |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Department of Sociological Studies (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 09 Jul 2021 15:03 |
Last Modified: | 02 Jul 2022 00:13 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Taylor & Francis |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1080/14699915.2021.1932451 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:176029 |