Dignitatis Personae

 (Summary by the Catholic News Agency)

Note: somatic cells, from the Latin "soma," meaning body, are those which direct the way the body they inhabit functions, but are not passed on to offspring.

"Germ line" refers to cells from which offspring might germinate. 

 

Third Part:

New Treatments which Involve the Manipulation of
the Embryo or the Human Genetic Patrimony

 Gene therapy 

Gene therapy commonly refers to “techniques of genetic engineering applied to human beings for therapeutic purposes, that is to say, with the aim of curing genetically based diseases” (n. 25). 

  • Somatic cell gene therapy “seeks to eliminate or reduce genetic defects on the level of somatic cells” (n. 25).
  • Germ line cell therapy aims “at correcting genetic defects present in germ line cells with the purpose of transmitting the therapeutic effects to the offspring of the individual” (n. 25).

From the ethical point of view: 

  • Procedures used on somatic cells for strictly therapeutic purposes “are in principle morally licit…Given that gene therapy can involve significant risks for the patient, the ethical principle must be observed according to which, in order to proceed to a therapeutic intervention, it is necessary to establish beforehand that the person being treated will not be exposed to risks to his health or physical integrity which are excessive or disproportionate to the gravity of the pathology for which a cure is sought.  The informed consent of the patient or his legitimate representative is also required” (n. 26).
  • With regard to germ line cell therapy, “the risks connected to any genetic manipulation are considerable and as yet not fully controllable” and therefore “in the present state of research, it is not morally permissible to act in a way that may cause possible harm to the resulting progeny” (n. 26).
  • ith regard to the possibility of using techniques of genetic engineering to introduce alterations with the presumed aim of improving and strengthening the gene pool, it must be observed that such interventions would promote a “eugenic mentality” and would introduce an “indirect social stigma with regard to people who lack certain qualities, while privileging qualities that happen to be appreciated by a certain culture or society; such qualities do not constitute what is specifically human.  This would be in contrast with the fundamental truth of the equality of all human beings which is expressed in the principle of justice, the violation of which, in the long run, would harm peaceful coexistence among individuals… Finally it must also be noted that in the attempt to create a new type of human being one can recognize an ideological element in which man tries to take the place of his Creator” (n. 27).