The proposed research seeks to analyze arguments in the literature of philosophy, theology and public policy that take the genome in its integrity, contingency, or historical authenticity to be what ground humanity as natural or as part of nature. According to this view, insofar as human beings deliberately alter or control the human genome, they alienate themselves from their evolutionary history and from the natural world. The idea is, in effect, that humanity remains a part of nature as long as nature -- in the form of non-manipulated genome - - remains part of humanity. The proposed study will examine the form of """"""""genetic exceptionalism"""""""" that invokes the concept of """"""""nature"""""""" and the """"""""natural"""""""" judgments, usually critical, concerning the manipulation of the human genome. The researchers would then evaluate arguments that -- on the basis of the relation between nature and the genome - - support restriction on genetic engineering. Specifically, the research team will 1) analyze the extent to which criticisms and concerns about the instrumental manipulation of the human genome rest on controversial assumptions about nature, human nature, and the connection between humanity and nature; and it will assess the validity of those assumptions. The project, will 2) produce a series of essays to be collected into a book, along with other articles, conference presentations, and policy-related papers, all of which will evaluate proposals that appeal to conceptions of nature as reasons to regulate or limit or ban various applications of genetic engineering.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
3R01HG002363-01S1
Application #
6500247
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1 (01))
Program Officer
Boyer, Joy
Project Start
2001-07-20
Project End
2003-06-30
Budget Start
2001-09-28
Budget End
2002-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$6,660
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Maryland College Park
Department
Miscellaneous
Type
Other Domestic Higher Education
DUNS #
City
College Park
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
20742
Sagoff, Mark (2007) Further thoughts about the human neuron mouse. Am J Bioeth 7:51-2
Wasserman, David (2003) Species and races, chimeras, and multiracial people. Am J Bioeth 3:W13-W14
Sagoff, Mark (2003) Transgenic chimeras. Am J Bioeth 3:30-1
Sagoff, Mark (2002) Intellectual property and products of nature. Am J Bioeth 2:12-3