Governance of Human Gene Editing and Transhumanism

This book focuses on the implications of the common themes and works on three urgent tasks for bioethicists. Are there common themes between transhumanism and the WHO framework for global governance of human genome editing? If yes, what are the implications of that? To find possible common themes, the author applied the reflective thematic analysis (RTA) method to a set of texts on transhumanism and a set of texts on the global governance of human genome editing. The transhumanist texts were the three documents Humanity+, the former World Transhumanist Association, calls the original documents on transhumanism (the Transhumanist Declaration, Transhumanist FAQ 3.0, the Transhumanist Manifesto v.4). The selected texts to represent the current global governance of human genome editing were the three documents published by WHO on the topic in 2021 (human genome editing: a framework for governance, human genome editing: recommendations, human genome editing: position paper): the only plan for the global governance of HGE to date. As a result of his application of the RTA method, he found three common themes.

What does this mean for our society? What are the implications of the current situation? What are the tasks for bioethics? There are emerging questions on the human condition and new concerns to be addressed, such as the do-it-yourself mentality. The limits of therapy vs. enhancement ask for serious work on a bioethical framework for enhancement. Finally, the authors question the predominant values and propose a refinement to some conceptions of autonomy, protection, and equality. Recognising the current situation and working on the identified tasks has become crucial for contemporary Bioethics.

Discusses the WHO framework for global governance of human genome editing Invites the audience toward more proactive and constructive bioethics Includes commonalities between transhumanism and WHO framework for governance of human genome

Autorentext

Lílian Santos is a professor of Bioethics at Pontifical Atheneum Regina Apostolorum and at CatholicTech. Prof. Santos is a directive board member and a research scholar at UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights, in Rome, Italy. She obtained her Ph.D. in Bioethics from the Pontifical Atheneum Regina Apostolorum. Her doctoral dissertation-on transhumanism and the global governance of human genome editing-was graded summa cum laude and won the Academic Excellence Prize. Prof. Lílian Santos also holds a master's degree in Bioethics, a bachelor's degree in Education and Development, and another degree in Religious Sciences. She holds specialisation diplomas in University Teaching, Women in Public Life, and Integral Ecology. Prof. Santos has volunteered and worked in Brazil, Spain, Venezuela, Colombia, Ireland, and Italy.

Inhalt

Introduction to the Global Governance of Human Genome Editing and Transhumanism.- PART I Common Themes Between the Global Governance of Human Genome Editing and Transhumanism.- Chapter 1 The Global Governance of Human Genome Editing and the World Health Organization Framework.- Chapter 2 Transhumanism and its Original Documents.- Chapter 3 Common Themes Between the Governance of Human Genome Editing and Transhumanism.- PART II Tasks for Today's Bioethics.- Chapter 4 Addressing Possibilities, Desires, and Questions.- Chapter 5 The Limitations of Therapy (Allowed) Versus Enhancement (Forbidden).- Chapter 6 From Therapy versus Enhancement to Proportionality.- Chapter 7 Principle of Proportionality for the Choice Among Legitimate Means for Intervention.- Chapter 8 Bioethics' Role in the Global Governance of Human Genome Editing.- Chapter 9 Refining the Predominant Values for the Global Governance of Human Genome Editing.- Chapter 10 Specifying the Ethics of Human Genome Editing.- Conclusion Lessons Learned.- Annexes Interactive Presentations.- Bibliography.