Germline Genetic Engineering and Catholic Anthropology: The Ethics of Therapy and Enhancement in the Light of Human Dignity

Abstract

This paper brings germline genetic engineering into conversation with Catholic anthropology. While Catholicism’s anthropological vision is intimately connected to the divine origin of the human person, germline genetic engineering, which has the prospects of manipulating human genes at the germinal stage, clearly enables human beings to take control of their own evolution, extends the human power into the sacred realm, thereby touching at the core of what it means to be human. Focusing on the nature of human stewardship and dignity, this paper seeks to distinguish genuine therapeutic ends from the enhancement purposes of germline technology, and argues on the one hand that the therapeutic ends of germline engineering when properly pursued as to safeguard the nature of the human person, is good stewardship and in harmony with human dignity. On the other hand, the paper argues that enhancement technologies diminish human worth, thus, morally flawed.