Seminar with Barbora Havlíková Human genome editing from the perspective of European protection of fundamental human rights

Activity: Participating in an event - typesParticipation in workshop, seminar, course

Description

The possibility of editing and modifying the human genome is one example of how contemporary technological advancement affects not only individuals and current generations, but also has both positive and negative effects on the unborn child, future generations and humankind as a whole. The human genome is a key element of human identity. It is a fundamental link between generations and within families. At the international, European Union, and national levels, the duty to preserve future generations is acknowledged, and it has a role in any debate on environmental law. It is also a new emerging topic in the field of biomedicine. In biomedicine, the protection of future generations is not only a matter of satisfying their needs, but rather a question of their capacity for autonomy and self-governance. An intervention into the genetic constitution of unborn children (future generations) might affect their autonomy to make decisions about their own health and their own lives in future. As the result, the interest of unborn child, parents, present generations, future generations and humankind might get into conflict with each other. It raises essential questions: Does European human rights protect future generations, in particular their human dignity, which is related to the autonomy to make decisions about their own health and life? Is it possible to balance the human dignity of non-existing entity with the human dignity of a living individual? What connection exist between the human genome and protection of human dignity? Does human dignity protect the human genome as such? Can current generations be allowed to determine the genetic predispositions of their descendants? If so, will the parents be responsible for the genome of their offspring?
Period9 May 2023
Event typeSeminar