Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University, Washington DC 20057.
To obtain human genetic information with the intention of treating and curing severe genetic disease would be considered to be a positive personal decision of a moral agent in various religious contexts. According to some religious teachings human suffering should not be regarded merely as a negative element of life; however, the scientific achievement of obtaining genetic information should surely increase the possibility of hope for the eventual cure of genetically determined diseases. The elimination of human suffering and tragedy in severe genetically determined illness, on the criterion of the benefit of the patient, is permitted by various contemporary religious teachings, according to an analysis of publications by the World Council of Churches and the Vatican and sources from Jewish, Islamic and Buddhist teachings.
To obtain human genetic information with the intention of treating and curing severe genetic disease would be considered to be a positive personal decision of a moral agent in various religious contexts. According to some religious teachings human suffering should not be regarded merely as a negative element of life; however, the scientific achievement of obtaining genetic information should surely increase the possibility of hope for the eventual cure of genetically determined diseases. The elimination of human suffering and tragedy in severe genetically determined illness, on the criterion of the benefit of the patient, is permitted by various contemporary religious teachings, according to an analysis of publications by the World Council of Churches and the Vatican and sources from Jewish, Islamic and Buddhist teachings.