Teolog wobec moralnych dylematów współczesnej medycyny i biotechnologii

Abstract

Rapid development of contemporary medicine has been transforming it. As science unlocks the intricate secrets of DNA, we face difficult choices and new challenges. Doctors are capable of doing much more with a patient these days than is morally acceptable. Genetic engineering allows us to intervene in the genetic structure of a person, thanks to gene therapy doctors can cure a lot of illnesses. At the same time, however, there is a risk of overusing the tools and therapies available to eliminate the incurable or reducing a human being to a piece of merchandise which can be customized to parents’ expectations. Instrumentalism of ethics seems to pose one of the biggest threats to our times. For this reason theologians should feel responsible for shaping conscience of doctors and researchers and develop/promote adequate anthropology so that all moral issues concerning medicine could be settled by referring to it.