Madam, - The Irish Council for Bioethics has advocated the use of embryonic stem cell research in certain situations. The use of embryos produced, for example, during IVF, it is claimed, respects the embryo by using it for the good of society. According to this utilitarian, secular-liberal perspective the individual living human being does not have an absolute value in itself, but whatever value it has is purely instrumental. The good of society overrides the good of the individual.
The problem, as I see it, is that science moves faster than moral understanding. There is a real genuine problem and moral dilemma involved in the mindless art of "engineering" our human nature. This problem cannot be glibly glossed over merely by a facile reference to secular humanistic arguments based on utility. Perhaps we really need some kind of "spiritual" values if we are to put the brakes on humankind's "will to mastery". Although what is proposed sounds repugnant on a gut level to many, the "gut" is a flimsy thing to build arguments around. In the end, perhaps those who are opposed to what the council is proposing must fall back on something like a genuine moral plea for reverence and humility in face of the mystery of life, rather than a lawyer's watertight "case against".
The council is advocating the destruction of living embryos "for the good of society" - specifically for the purpose of health; the health of sick individuals. But the line between health and enhancement may be in the end impossible to draw. Indeed health itself is a form of enhancement. Perhaps we ought, at least, to think about the line, however imaginary - and think about where, in a hyper-competitive world, re-engineering our natures will ultimately lead. - Yours, etc,
THOMAS P WALSH,
Faussagh Road,
Cabra,
Dublin 7.