Arguments Against
There are few arguments against somatic cell gene therapy. Some argue that you might accidentally change the germ line. Others say it is new and experimental, and has unknown risks. However, for somatic cell gene therapy the benefits are generally held to far outweigh the risks. Most of the arguments here are against germ-line gene therapy
- Any mistake you make on a germ line is passed to future generations, and may affect thousands of people
- The people affected by germ-line gene therapy - children, and future descendants, did not agree or consent to the treatment
- You are tampering with nature and playing God
- When gene therapy goes wrong, it could lead to horrific mutations
- Treating defective genes puts you on a slippery slope - soon you will be 'curing' baldness, obesity, poor eyesight etc - actually enhancing the population, like Hitler's idea of a master race
- Only rich people will be able to afford these treatments - it goes against ideas of equality and justice
