Limits Of Gene Therapy

[chrysostom]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/exclusive-jawdropping-breakthrough-hailed-as-landmark-in-fight-against-hereditary-diseases-as-crispr-technique-heralds-genetic-revolution-8925295.html

 

The Church has already been teaching that IVF is wrong and so I would assume that all experiments with altering embryonic stem cell DNA are going to be wrong too.  But adult gene therapy to fight genetic diseases seems to be all right, am I correct?  My question is this:  can you think of a point at which altering the adult human genome would be morally wrong?  I am sure we are going to be further and faster with DNA alteration in the future and eventually pursue it for reasons other than treating hereditary medical conditions.  Are there possible ways, given enough time, in which the DNA could be altered that would attack/challenge/degrade the image of God in man?

 

I have zero idea of how biology works by the way.

[CatherineM]

Adult stem cell or gene therapy is okay to cure or treat disease. To augment would probably be an issue. Don't need any Kahn's from Star Trek running around.

[CrossCuT]

Well, as far as changing the image of God in man part goes...no. I dont believe they can change that because the image of God is not simply a skin deep sort of thing. Changing someones DNA to eliminate certain inherited diseases wont make them less human. I see no problem with the technology as applied to medical purposes however the articles outlines the ethical issues such as designer babies and what not. My only concern would be eugenics in the future but I almost feel as if that is inevitable.