Epigenetics: Ethical, Legal and Social Aspects

ISBN-13: 9783658144593 / Angielski / Miękka / 2017 / 200 str.

Reinhard Heil; Stefanie B. Seitz; Jurgen Robienski

Opis

This volume examines from an interdisciplinary perspective the ethical, legal and social aspects of epigenetics. Within the last decade, epigenetics has developed as a branch of molecular genetics and is currently experiencing a true hype. Modern epigenetics unites scientists from life sciences, organic chemistry as well as computer and engineering sciences to find an answer to the question of how environmental influences can have a lasting effect on gene expression, maybe even into the next generation.

Spis treści

Introduction.- Introduction to Epigenetics.- Too Early or Too Late? The Assessment of Emerging Technology.- Epigenetics and Genetic Determinism (in Popular Science).- Identity and Non-Identity. Intergenerational Justice as a Topic of an Ethics of Epigenetics.- Genetics, Epigenetics and Forms of Action. About the Ethical Ambivalence of Epigenetic Knowledge.- Epigenetics: Biological, Medical, Social, and Ethical Challenges.- Learning from and Shaping the Public Discourse about Epigenetics.- State of the Public Discourse on Epigenetics.- Epigenetics – New Aspects of Chemicals Policy.- Epigenetics and Legal Regulations: A challenge for the State’s Obligation to Protect Environment, Individual’s Health and Civil Rights.- Epigenetics and the Protection of Personality Rights.- Adam's Apple and His Legacy: Ethical Perspectives on Epigenetics with an Excursion to the Field of Body Weight Regulation.- Epigenetics and Original Sin. Theological-Ethical Reflections on Heredity and Responsibility.

O autorze

Reinhard Heil and Harald König are researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.

Stefanie B. Seitz was a researcher at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology until January 2016 and is currently working for the DBFZ - Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gGmbH, Leipzig.

Jürgen Robienski is a German lawyer in Hannover and Müden/Aller (Lower Saxony). He is a research fellow at the Center of Ethics and Law in the Life Sciences (CELLS) of Leibniz University in Hannover.

Blurb

Modern epigenetics unites scientists from life sciences, organic chemistry as well as computer and engineering sciences to find an answer to the question of how environmental influences can have a lasting effect on gene expression, maybe even into the next generations. This volume examines from an interdisciplinary perspective the ethical, legal and social aspects of epigenetics.

Contents

• Introduction to Epigenetics

• The Assessment of Emerging Technology

• Epigenetics and Genetic Determinism (in Popular Science)

• Intergenerational Justice as a Topic of an Ethics of Epigenetics

• About the Ethical Ambivalence of Epigenetic Knowledge

• Biological, Medical, Social, and Ethical Challenges

• Learning from and Shaping the Public Discourse about Epigenetics

• State of the Public Discourse on Epigenetics

• New Aspects of Chemicals Policy

• Epigenetics and Legal Regulations

• Epigenetics and the Protection of Personality Rights

• Adam's Apple and His Legacy

• Epigenetics and Original Sin

Target Groups

Scholars and students in science and technology studies, biology, philosophy, sociology, theory of science, history of science, law and theology

Editors

Reinhard Heil and Harald König are researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.

Stefanie B. Seitz was a researcher at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology until January 2016 and is currently working for the DBFZ - Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gGmbH, Leipzig.

Jürgen Robienski is a German lawyer in Hannover and Müden/Aller (Lower Saxony). He is a research fellow at the Center of Ethics and Law in the Life Sciences (CELLS) of Leibniz University in Hannover.