An Annotation On : "Reproductive cloning, genetic engineering and the autonomy of the child: the moral agent and the open future"

Hey guys! So I ran into a really interesting article about the ethical views on genetically engineered humans. Read the annotation below and look up the article if you are interested! Enjoy!

Mameli, M. Reproductive cloning, genetic engineering and the autonomy of the child: the moral agent and the open future. Journal of Medical Ethics, 2007.

In this article, Mameli takes two authors who are one sided on the issue of morality of reproducing through genetic engineering and bio technologies in order to disprove them on the matter that genetically engineered people would be different from people who are traditionally conceived. The arguments from both authors cited are that people conceived through cloning and genetic engineering means would be unable to assume responsibility for their actions because the responsibility would fall on the parents who engineered their children that way.

The author cleverly uses the theory of nature vs nurture to make the point that genetically engineered people would be driven to adapt to their surroundings rather than follow their genetic instincts.  Mameli’s arguments are straight to the point and are easy to follow so that the points made and perspective presented come through clearly. Mameli’s arguments are also very relatable to other studies concerning people’s basic instincts.

This article is very relatable to any paper trying to bring into perspective the moral standings of those for and against cloned and genetically engineered humans.