The mapping of the human genome and new research in behavioural and population genetics have transformed our understanding of ourselves as human beings. We now recognize that small molecules of DNA shape our existence in ways we do not fully understand and which we may not be able to fully control. While we can appreciate the uniqueness of our genome on the one hand, we also have to accept that we have more in common with other organisms than we had previously thought. Moreover, the ability to transfer genes between species gives us a power to literally transform the human species. Thus, we are faced with the following challenge: should we use all of the genetic resources at our disposal in order to improve health outcomes or to enhance human capabilities, or are we at risk of entering a new eugenic age of perfect babies and human clones? Our work in this field focuses on the creation of part-human/part-animal chimeras for research on stem cells and modeling human diseases, the patenting of biological materials, as well as the regulation of gene transfer research and assisted human reproduction techniques.
Novel Genetic Technologies
