1996 Articles

Genethics and eugenics

Pollack, Robert

The document titled "The Ethics of Human Gene Therapy" by Robert Pollack, published in Nature Biotechnology in 1996, is a review of the book "The Ethics of Human Gene Therapy" by Leroy Walter and Julie Gage Palmer. Pollack discusses the ethical implications of gene therapy, particularly the distinction between somatic cell gene therapy, which addresses inherited conditions without affecting future generations, and germ-line gene therapy, which alters the genetic makeup of future offspring. He critiques the authors' exploration of potential future uses of gene therapy, including controversial scenarios such as engineering genes for traits like intelligence or physical abilities. Pollack warns against the resurgence of eugenic ideas in the guise of gene therapy and argues that germ-line interventions should be indefinitely postponed due to their profound ethical and scientific implications. The review emphasizes the need for caution in advancing gene therapy technologies, highlighting the dangers of attempting to "improve" the human gene pool through genetic manipulation.