Konsekwencje moralne poznania genomu człowieka

Abstract

More or less since October 1990 the Human Genome Project has been carried out. This should undoubtedly be numbered among the greatest scientific events of the break of the second millennium. However, the undertaking creates numerous problems of a moral nature. In the present article selected issues of a more detailed nature are discussed. The most important of them are: the ethic side of patenting the human genome and its commercialisation as well as the ethic side of using the human genetic map. Almost all representatives of the world of science reject the tendencies to patent human genes. They have in regard first of all impeding scientific studies and development of human genetics. However, in the discussed problem attention should also be paid to the anthropological aspect. The human genome is first of all a constitutive element of the human person. Hence acquiring the rights of ownership of it must be considered identical with becoming the possessor of the very man in his bodily structure. Use of the genetic map may take various forms. In the article attention is paid to the risk of eugenic discriminations, which the author decidedly rejects. In the next part he discusses the interrelation between de-codification of the genome and man's social and professional activity. Rejecting discrimination in this dimension the author emphasises positive results in such cases, when the genetic diagnosis discovers that the man is susceptible to a certain disease and hence it is an aid in choosing the place of work. The last issue that is raised in the article is connected with social insurance. The author rejects the idea that standard insurance should depend on the genetic examination, which would be a sign of discrimination. However, he admits genetic examination in the case of non-standard insurance when in individual contracts very high pensions or considerable compensations as possible consequences of fulfilling responsible functions are involved, where the insured man’s fitness can be in some way conditioned genetically.