The Ethics of Germline Gene Editing and Nursing Ethics

Abstract

This paper explores the current ethical issues in the potential use of germline gene therapy. This paper will also discuss the ethical principles of beneficence and non-maleficence in the context of germline therapy. The balance between potential benefits and potential harm in its use will be appraised. Moreover, the principle of autonomy will be further studied. More specifically the issue of consent and the potential dilemma when the modified individual’s will and those who chose the modifications do not align will be examined. Furthermore, the ethicality in the potential non-medical use of germline gene therapy will be investigated. Also, the consequences for the non-medical use in the therapy such as potential human rights violations and a breach in the ethical principle of justice will be speculated. Moreover, this paper highlights the use of the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Code of Ethics to help guide nurses through the complex ethical problems that they may face in germline gene therapy.

Keywords: germline, gene therapy, germline editing, germline therapy, ethics, ethical principles, autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, non-medical germline gene therapy, Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Code of Ethics, CRISPR