GENETIC MEDICINES IN INDIA
BLESSING OR CURSE?
Keywords:
GENETIC MEDICINES, BLESSING, CURSEAbstract
Genetics grows so rapidly. Every month we receive a new
announcement about the scientific achievement from the genetical
research in plants, animals and human beings. Compared to other
medical technologies, genetics can radically change the nature of
environment and the nature of human being. Today we have
genetically engineered trees, plants, animals, food, insects, bacteria
and viruses. Genetic medicines also proved the origin of genetic
diseases and the functions of genes. Genetic testing and screening,
genetics therapy, genetic design and enhancement are the few
developments in genetic medicine. Genetic engineering is so common
and we live in the midst of it. There are many merits as well as
demerits in genetics. The problems in genetics are very complex and
complicated and raise many ethical and moral theological issues. In
this context this paper is about “Genetic Medicines in India: Blessing
or Curse?” We make an ethical evaluation on genetic medicines. We
divide this paper into three sessions. The first session discusses a
short view on genetic medicines in India. The second part describes
ethical issues in genetics and the third part is an ethical appraisal of
genetic medicines.
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_genetics (accessed 17-11-2013).
“Genetic Research Center, Mumbai, Engaged in Research and Service on Genetic Disorder,” ICMR Bulletin 41/8-9 (2011).
Sharma R, “Birth Defects in India: Hidden Truth, Need for Urgent Attention,” Indian Journal of Human Genetics 19 (2013).
Editorial, “Medical Genetics in India – What Needs to be Done?,” Indian Journal of Medical Research 130 (2009).
Praveen K., Prashant V., “Public Health Genetics in India: An Unexplored Evolving Specialty,” International Journal of Health & Allied Sciences 2 (2013) 143-144:
http://www.ijhas.in/text.asp?2013/2/3/143/120581(accessed 8-12-2013).
Kalra S., Kalra B., Pathak V., “Indian Medical Research: Encouraging Trends,” Perspectives in Clinical Research 4 (2013) 240-241: http://www.picronline.org/text.
asp?2013/4/4/240/120176 (20-11-2013).
“Many Diseases have Genetic Causes,” Cf. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ city/varanasi/Many-diseases-have-genetic-causes-Expert/articleshow/23679777.
cms (accessed 17-11-2013).
B K Mishra, “Medical genetics holds promise for cancer patients,” Times of India Apr 22, 2011 Cf. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-22/patna/ 29462459_1_cancer-patients-medical-genetics-mahavir-cancer-sansthan (accessed on 7-12-2013).
Praveen K., Prashant V., “ Public Health Genetics in India: An Unexplored Evolving Specialty,” International Journal of Health & Allied Sciences 2 (2013) 143-144:
http://www.ijhas.in/text.asp?2013/2/3/143/120581(20-11-2013).
Audrey R. Chapman, “Genetic Engineering and Theology: Exploring the Interconnections,” Theology Today 59/1 (2002).
Celia Deane-Drummond, “Fabricated Humans? Human Genetics, Ethics and the Christian Wisdom Tradition,” Dialog: A Journal of Theology 44/4 (2005).
http://icmr.nic.in/bioethics/cc_biothics/presentations/sym_ che/Ethical%20Issues%20in%20Practice%20and%20Research%20of%20%20Medical %20Genetics.pdf (accessed 8-12-2013).
Celia Deane-Drummond, “Fabricated Humans? Human Genetics, Ethics and the Christian Wisdom Tradition ,” Dialog: A Journal of Theology 44/4 (2005).
R. Noggle, “On the Cross of Mere Utility: Utilitarianism, Sacrifices, and the Value of Persons,” Utilitas 12 (2000).
The General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, “The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith,” Instrumentum Laboris of 2012 Synod of
Bishops, Vatican City: 2012, II.
Thomas Padiyath, “Church in Dialogue with the Contemporary World: Responding to Individualism and Relativism,” Colloquium on Vatican II Documents Gaudium et Spes and Nostra Aetate, December 13, 2012, Pontifical Institute of Theology and Philosophy, Alwaye.
Peter Vardy, Being Human: Fulfilling our Genetic and Spiritual Potential, London: DLT, 2003.
J. Keena, “Genetic Research and the Elusive Body,” in L.S. Cahill and M.A. Farley, ed., Embodiment, Morality, and Medicine , Theology and Medicine 6, Boston: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1995.
John Paul II, “The Ethics of Genetic Manipulation,” in Kevin D. O’Rourke and Philip Boyle, Medical Ethics: Sources of Catholic Teachings, St. Louis, The Catholic
Health Association of United Sates, 1989.
National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., Genetic Science for Human Benefit, New York: Office of Research and Evaluation, adopted by the Governing
Board, 22 May 1986.
Felix Podimattom, “Human Genome Project and Gene Therapy,” Indian Journal of Family Studies 2/2 (2004).
Kris Dierickx, “Genetic Privacy and the Family,” Indian Journal of Family Studies 2/2 (2004).
