Comments on: How will we handle the capability and responsibility of creating human life according to spec? http://www.genomicslawreport.com/index.php/2009/10/14/how-will-we-handle-the-capability-and-responsibility-of-creating-human-life-according-to-spec/ News and analysis from the intersection of genomics, personalized medicine and the law Wed, 08 Sep 2010 13:03:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Laura Hercher http://www.genomicslawreport.com/index.php/2009/10/14/how-will-we-handle-the-capability-and-responsibility-of-creating-human-life-according-to-spec/comment-page-1/#comment-984 Laura Hercher Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:00:43 +0000 http://www.genomicslawreport.com/?p=1350#comment-984 As Shakespeare said, \nothing is either good or bad but thinking makes it so.\ It is always the intention that makes an act wrong. So, selecting against male gender in a family afflicted with an X-linked illness is a very different kettle of fish than selecting against girls in a culture that does not value women. Unfortunately, nothing could be more difficult than to craft a law based on intentions. The law is a very blunt instrument with which to plumb something as intricate as human intention. Such a measure, in the end, would simply work in favor of those most adept at manipulating the system, exaggerating the inequities that are already a pending problem in a genetically modified future. My heart is with you, but my head says we need to draw some clear lines in the sand. As Shakespeare said, \nothing is either good or bad but thinking makes it so.\ It is always the intention that makes an act wrong. So, selecting against male gender in a family afflicted with an X-linked illness is a very different kettle of fish than selecting against girls in a culture that does not value women. Unfortunately, nothing could be more difficult than to craft a law based on intentions. The law is a very blunt instrument with which to plumb something as intricate as human intention. Such a measure, in the end, would simply work in favor of those most adept at manipulating the system, exaggerating the inequities that are already a pending problem in a genetically modified future.

My heart is with you, but my head says we need to draw some clear lines in the sand.

]]> By: Debra Nicastro http://www.genomicslawreport.com/index.php/2009/10/14/how-will-we-handle-the-capability-and-responsibility-of-creating-human-life-according-to-spec/comment-page-1/#comment-867 Debra Nicastro Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:47:26 +0000 http://www.genomicslawreport.com/?p=1350#comment-867 Very well stated. Very well stated.

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