How will we handle genetic, technological advances?

Commentary. By Leonard J. Marcus, PhD, and Barry C. Dorn, MD, AMNews contributors. Sept. 17, 2001.

COMMENTARY

Observations on the state of medical practice and medical life

SEE ARCHIVES

Some years into the future -- when the history of our species is written -- the period in which we are now living could very well be labeled among the most momentous and decisive of times.

We humans are now learning to harness and activate our intelligence in ways never before achieved and in ways that will set the tone for much of our future. How we deal with the choices, decisions and conflicts that emerge will determine whether our information and technological explosion will be a trajectory into spectacular possibilities; whether these new powers will reflect the tales of missed opportunities; or whether our choices become the augurs of doom itself.

The decisions regarding our bodies and our health -- advances in the genome project and new biotechnological breakthroughs -- will be among the most difficult to face us: scientifically, technologically and ethically. What we could know and what we could do: the possibilities are incredible. But imagination itself must be tempered by critical concerns for real capabilities and moral correctness.

Future generations could very well chastise us, harshly, if we either ignore or conversely become mired in addressing the ethical dimensions of these choices. It is they who will live with the consequences.

Recent discussions regarding research utilization of stem cells demonstrates how difficult the choices and how contentious the deliberations about them are. The stakes are high, and proponents on each side are ready to fight hard to achieve victory. [...]