Vulnerability at the Heart of the Ethical Implications of New Biotechnologies

• Authors: Thierry Magnin
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Starting from research on biotechnology and its applications to living organisms, this paper presents the key features of modern-day synthetic biology, as well as its main ethical implications. The analysis of the paradox of the concept of robustness in the creation of microorganisms through synthetic biology leads us to address the topic of vulnerability, applied to man, but also to all other living beings. The concept of “enhanced human being” will strengthen the link between complexity and vulnerability as inherent features of living beings. Reflecting upon the importance of considering vulnerability applied to man’s three-fold dimensions - physical, psycho-social and spiritual - and their interaction with their environment, we will define a type of anthropology which may constitute the basis of the study on the ethical implications of synthetic biology. This will lead to present the purpose of an ethical limit to the temptation of « allmightiness », which the concept of enhanced human being could entail, and vulnerability as a defining feature of all living beings.

Keywords

EN

Synthetic biology; Ethical implications; Biotechnology; Enhanced human being

• Publisher: Sciendo
• Journal: Human and Social Studies
• Year: 2015
• Volume: 4
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 13-25

Dates

published

2015-10-01

online

2015-11-10

Contributors

author

Thierry Magnin

• UMRS-449, Chancellor of the Catholic University of Lyon

References

• Besnier, J. M. (2012). L’homme simplifié. Le syndrome de la touche étoile. Paris : Fayard.
• Ellul, J. Le Système technicien. (2012). Paris : Calmann-Lévy. 3rd ed. 1977. Le Cherche-midi.
• Habermas, J. L’avenir de la nature humaine, vers un eugénisme libéral ? (2002). Paris : Gallimard.
• Henry, M. (1996). C’est moi la vérité. Paris : Seuil.
• Jonas, H. (1997). The imperative of responsibility, in search of Ethics for the Technological Age. Paris: Cerf.
• Magnin, T. (2013). Les nouvelles biotechnologies en questions. Paris : Salvator.
• Rosnay, J. de and F. Papillon. (2010). Et l’homme fabriqua la vie. LLL.
• Schaer, R. (2013). Répondre du vivant, Le Pommier.
• St Irenaeus. Adversus Haereses. V. 6. 1.

Identifiers

DOI

10.1515/hssr-2015-0021