EXPERIMENTATION ON HUMAN EMBRYOS: HUMAN DIGNITY AND BIO-TECHNO-ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

Abstract

The genome "editing" technique known as CRISPR and human genetic engineering have raised legal concerns about scientific experimentation on embryos in the germ line. The objective of the paper is to carry out an analysis for its understanding from three iusphilosophical theoretical approaches, which are adopted as a methodology: the Theory of Legal Responses,  ioethics, and the "bio-technological-ethical"  principles of “Etica Convergente”, whose results allow us to highlight human dignity and warn  about the risks of hereditary editing of the human genome. The conclusions of the research propose a committed debate that can consider the social consequences of altering the genes of future  generations to provide legal, just, wise and democratic responses.
Key-words: Gene editing. Germ line. Human dignity. Human embryos.