A National Consultation on Current Trends in Genetics: An Ethical Reflection
Jan 17-19 , 2012.
A National Consultation on Current Trends
in Genetics: An Ethical Reflection organised in ECC by ISET from Jan 17-19 ,
2012. Participants represented ......
The Key Note address was given by Dr. R. S. Kulkarni, Agriculture University, Bangalore He began with Genetics in the contemporary society highlighting brief history of modern Genetics existing
even from a pre-mendelian time and even the nature chooses the fittest species
to create new traits. He also brought the explanations of Genotype and
phenotype and how environment(external /internal) plays an important role in
defining the nature of the new trait. He
emphatically stated that the Genetic code is universal and therefore there
should be positive appreciation for the philosophy of life. Then he also said
about various approaches to modern Genetics namely Transmission Genetics, Pedigree
Analysis, Cytogenetics ,Molecular Genetics and Population Genetics.Then he highlighted the
debate of Basic vs Applied Genetics. He then raised the question - Should we
ever apply Genetics for human advancement? In the same line he highlighted
euphenics, advances in agriculture which can benefit the society. Eugenics,
Genetic Technology, Human Genome Project, Health Care, Recombinant DNA Technology
were also explained
The Ethical Issues raised by him was - Are we blurring the lines between species by
creating transgenic combinations? What are the known health risks associated
with transgenics? What are the long-term effects on the environment when
transgenics are released in the field? What ethical, social, and legal controls
or reviews should be placed on such research? Transgenic biotechnology presents
challenges, such as health risks. Are we inflicting pain and suffering on
sentient creatures when we create certain types of chimeras?
Discussions:
Need to appreciate the genetic technologies,
but in doing so we need to see the economic viability, how these genetic
technologies can be used as alternative and the sustainable aspects of it.
Are we just blurring the lines
between specific species and transgenic combination. The long-term effects on
environment, the health risks, legal control and the pain inflicted on the
creature for Genetic research and enhancement has to be contested.
He provided to understand genetics in
a philosophical way while also emphasising that science can create gene never
life.
Session II and III
Dr. George
Korula
Ethical issues in Assisted Reproduction – which dealt
with the issue of fertility and its treatment Germ-line Gene Theraphy.
His primary
concern was the grey areas that have crept in a noble approach.
According to
Korula Infertility affects 10 – 15% of Indian population. Still infertility is
given low priority in government medical and health schemes, thus providing the
large private and corporate hospitals to make profit by catching couple who are
under social stigma and ostracisation. Even though WHO classifies infertility
as a disease thereby affirming the right to treatment and right to happiness
and right to reproductive anatomy as important.
He briefly
talked about Artificial Reproductive Techniques (ART) like IUI, IVF, GIFT and
ICSI which are generally used depending on the nature of infertility.
He then pointed
influence of different religion and how it affects the their stand on such
treatments.
He just
highlighted the issues involved such as Semen donation, oocyte donation /egg
sharing, multiple pregnancies and surrogacy.
The discussions
were raised on donor program, public awareness and availability , principles of
setting fertility clinics with fixed guide lines and proper control. Surrogacy
for social indications or medical parameters, commercially driven Genetic
process.
He facilitated a
broad discussion on issues like multiple pregnancy, surrogacy, perfect child,
oocytic cryopreservations, embryo freezing, Pre implantation Genetic Diagnosis,
preconception Genetic screening, and cloning on which there were good
discussions.
Towards the end
he briefly talked about Germ line theraphy, genetic manipulation, Eugenic enhancement
and experimentation on Human embryos which was the crux of his
presentation on which every body felt that the church is very silent.
Session 4
Ms. Elonnai Hickock
Privacy and DNA
Testing and the situation of testing in India
She started with
a background and facts about DNA and DNA testing and telling how DNA profiles
are created and stored from the DNA samples taken from individual or groups for
various purposes. She also highlighted the situation of DNA testing in India
highlighting the fact that the proposed DNA Profiling Bill 2007 is still
pending in the parliament and not moved from the draft status. This proposed
bill looks to legalise the collection and analyses of DNA samples for forensic
purposes.
In her presentation
she brought out two concerns – access to information and use & misuse of
information.
She also pointed the complexity involved in DNA
collection /testing and the issue of privacy by raising three basic issue of
consent, destroying the DNA after the purpose and the person’ right to know the
information discovered since it can impact both the person concerned and other
persons.
Using her
research background she pointed out the lacunae of the proposed bill critiquing
it from its ambiguous position it has relating to the already existing
legislations; DNA as the supreme evidence undermining the requirement for
additional evidences, scope of DNA collection, no clear definition of when
collection of DNA samples can be taken, privacy principles which will be
binding on DNA laboratories.
The primary
discussion in that came from the floor was about full storage vs partial
storage of DNA sequencing as in cases like population surveillance where all
the samples can be categorised as suspect for any case. It was unanimously felt
that there is a need for specific legislation(s) explicitly focusing on
specific needs for DNA sampling. So that the issue of civil liberty and
protection, justice and equity and basic human rights are protected.
Session 5
Rev. Thomas Paikad
Human Cloning
The thesis of
his presentation was ‘cloning in order to create a fine breed of human being is
very much dubious and poses a real challenge to the Christian faith and to
present day family situation.
His paper
reflected his concern human becoming immortal or playing God as there is a possibility of special breed of human kind
being developed through cloning which is a violation of the original process of
procreation and therefore a temptation to go beyond the limits of a reasonable
dominion over nature.
He brought out
the highlights of Human Genome project which the scientist claim that it will
be a tool and resource to develop and pursue biological study that will improve
human health. He opposed the project by using the argument of uniqueness of
human individual and human right concerns as he felt that reproductive cloning
of human beings will be contrary to dignity of the human person.
He later gave
his biblical view of creation presenting cloning as going against God’ scheme
of creation as it may create distinction/division among natural human and
cloned human undermining the worth of Life. According to him the challenge for
Christians is that everything cannot be taken for granted or at its root value
as we are called to uphold sacramental relationships, parenthood and sanctity
of life. Giving dignity and respect
which is due to the person of the human embryo as the ultimate theological key
against cloning was prescribed as it may end up human embryos as products.
The need is to
act as the proper stewards of life affirming that the image of God in all
humanity. Therefore we are called for being more human and look for the
“otherness” in the people as acceptable.
Session 6:
Ms. Sonali Kusum, Legal Issues in ART
Bringing
technologies in human beings thereby making them as ‘means’ and not the ‘end’.
We have to look out for the human factor and therefore there is a need for
moral and ethical values.
All humans have
a right to life and right to health and therefore commercialisation and
commodification of human existence in any form will have devastating effect in
the social fabric.
There is an
urgent need to set legal regulations on genetic practices which are born out of
good drafting process emerging from the consent of different sections and views
of society.
All such
legislations should be in consistence with the already existing laws of UN conventions
like declaration of universal human right and UNCRC (1989)
Session 7 &8
Rev. Dr. Allan
Pallana
There is no way
undermining the healing aspect of innovative technologies , however it is
necessary to ethically involve in the uncertainties, responsibilities, decision
making etc to discern exploitation and discrimination that the whole genetic
testing or screening may lead to.
We should move
beyond the position of theological purity and have a rather a realistic
approach in making critical theological and ethical discernments.
We as a faith
affirming community should come out with clear religious ethics since even
scientific scope has limitations and therefore is fallible. Hence needing a
complementary approach where science and religion benefit each other.
To further
deepen the understanding of theology of compassion and taking God as our model
in our approach to see humanness of humanity as embedded in kenosis.
Statement:
We as the
participants of National Consultation on Current Trends in Genetics : An
Ethical Reflection affirm that
- We as a faith affirming community should come out with clear religious ethics since even scientific scope has limitations and therefore is fallible. Hence needing a complementary approach where science and religion benefit each other.
- To include this as a special subject with a
suitable curriculum in bringing conscientisation in different educational institutions.- To bring awareness to vulnerable communities who can be exploited in the process of genetic screening, surrogacy and other related Genetic enhancement. Where the Christian media can be effectively used.
- To include this as one of the necessary themes in the almanac and in worship services.
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