Designer Genes: An analysis of a theoretical framework for policy proposals in relation to genetic engineering as a reproductive technology

dc.contributor.authorCrain, Stacie M.en
dc.contributor.committeechairLuke, Timothy W.en
dc.contributor.committeememberFitzPatrick, William J.en
dc.contributor.committeememberRich, Richard C.en
dc.contributor.departmentPolitical Scienceen
dc.date.accessioned2014-03-14T21:43:07Zen
dc.date.adate2003-09-03en
dc.date.available2014-03-14T21:43:07Zen
dc.date.issued2003-05-16en
dc.date.rdate2004-09-03en
dc.date.sdate2003-08-22en
dc.description.abstractWith the new capabilities of genetic engineering and such biotechnologies, come added considerations for policy makers. If gene therapy (or even embryo selection) becomes common practice, we must look not only to creating policies that protect the interests of individuals in the legal and social realms, but consideration must also be given to the equality of opportunity in the genetic sense. This additional level brings with it much significance; one can argue that financial disparity is at least theoretically surmountable but it is difficult to account for intentional genetic alterations that would forever give certain individuals a physical advantage over non-enhanced persons. It is with these new boundaries that genetic policy must find itself creating legislation; it is also with these new boundaries that policy will find its greatest hurdles. Given the ever-expanding field of biotechnology and gene therapy, one can hardly expect policy written today to be up-to-date ten, or even two years from now. Instead of focusing, therefore, on specific recommendations, I will center my discussion on a broad framework that outlines the arguments that should be considered when dealing with genetic engineering and public policy. After creating a theoretical structure centered on historical experiences and the philosophical writings of John Rawls, we will delve deeper into the actual possibilities created by genetic engineering and embryo selection. I will further analyze the differences between positive and negative genetic interventions and discuss the consequences of these differences as they should (or should not) affect policy. This particular distinction and the implications of these differences on policy will serve as the bulk of my discussion.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Artsen
dc.identifier.otheretd-08222003-160342en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-08222003-160342/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/44317en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.relation.haspartStacieThesisETD.pdfen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectpublic policyen
dc.subjectcloningen
dc.subjectgenetic engineeringen
dc.subjectembryo researchen
dc.subjectbiomedical technologyen
dc.subjectreproductive technologyen
dc.titleDesigner Genes: An analysis of a theoretical framework for policy proposals in relation to genetic engineering as a reproductive technologyen
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplinePolitical Scienceen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Artsen

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