GENETIC GENETIC

ENHANCEMENTS THERAPIES

Average memory *(PKU) Phenylketonuria*

Average cognitive skills *(ADA) Adenosine Deaminase Deficiency

Average height *Sickle-cell anemia

Average musical ability *Cystic fibrosis

Average kinesthetic (athletic) *Tay-Sachs Disease

skills Various cancers

Average weight Various heart diseases

Average strength *Various liver diseases

Average lifespan

Immune system upgrade

Correcting allergies

Dwarfism

Deafness

Alcoholism

Schizophrenia

Obesity

Homosexuality

Intersexuality

Altering the need for sleep

Reducing aggressiveness

Changing skin color

Inserting the leadership gene

*PKU is treatable by diet: necessity of genetic modification

*ADA has been partially cured

* Sickle-cell illustrates the complexity of genetic (vs. infectious) disease: heterosis

* Cystic fibrosis exemplifies a current excess of enthusiasm

* Tay-Sachs and other diseases illustrate the predominance of the condition in certain ethnic groups; as new, rarer conditions become identifiable, new genetic minorities will be created.

* Liver diseases: Jesse Gelsinger was participating in a research-stage protocol to determine the safety of the adenovirus vector.

Issue: Enhancements vs. therapies

Issue: Present technique (abortion) vs. future method (genetic alteration)

Issue: risks vs. benefits

Issue: somatic-cell vs. germ-line gene therapy

Issue: informed consent (parental choices for children)

Issue: medical genetics (focus on individual) vs.

population genetics (focus on society)

Issue: danger of an the imposition of a narrow standard of normality

Issue: Protection of health vs. protection of rights

Glover vs. Walters