Choosing one’s babies in Germany

Written by Horst Schulte, Querblog, July 12th 2010.
Translated by Ulrike Anderson. See the original article in German
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Photo: Unopaella / pixelio.de

It’s a “hot potato” and the German Federal Supreme Court’s decision can be interpreted as the beginning of quality control in in-vitro embryos. Germans are said to be technophobic. Genetic engineering is progressing slowly here. That’s what was to blame.

The politicians and scientists didn’t make it any easier on themselves. And certainly not just because they knew that genetic engineering would be viewed sceptically by the local population, but also of course because they wanted to act in accordance with their own, personal responsibilities.

It seems to me that the once strict regulations are softening. You could also say: Progress cannot be halted. But is that it, or should there be talk of the fact that lobbyists also worked on this question a great deal? Time is the advantage of those with capital interests and whose moral scruples cannot necessarily be taken for granted.

Actually, it’s nice, good and right that couples who can’t conceive children naturally can now hold their offspring in their arms with the help of advances in engineering. These people, and not to mention their children, are given a great gift. Thanks to engineering. Maybe even God will understand, he did say something about making the earth our own. Okay, we know that the Catholic Church sees things a little differently and, to be honest, I find their stance justified; even if it only serves to slow down those who would do everything in the name of science by a little.

Let’s not fool ourselves. The regulations previously included in the legislation are softening more and more. Even if it “only” served the people, it would perhaps still be a questionable process, since many intelligent minds, in regards existential questions, warn against the implementation of everything that is possible in genetics. If these thoughts had always been seriously considered, some weapons systems would not exist today. We would probably not live in such a modern world and there would be no increased prosperity. It’s true, whether you like it or not.

Moderation is key, especially in such important ethical questions. And that’s why it’s good that there is constantly a new discourse. Discourse directly related to further development of all engineering. We’re learning more and we must evaluate and process what we’ve learned.

The German Federal Supreme Court has reached a decision that is viewed very critically, in part. I read the following letter to the editor in the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger (Cologne City Gazette) and would like to cite it here:

This verdict has brought us a good deal closer to eugenics. First, embryos are produced, and then they are checked for quality. Of course the German Federal Supreme Court says that this is only for serious diseases. The judge’s ardent wish. It’s worth making sure that the same is guaranteed for prenatal diagnosis. Let’s be honest, for PGD, this dynamic will first lead to the definition of “serious” being widened and then the expectation for expectant parents to do a quality control of their in-vitro embryos as proof of their “responsibility”. Social pressure will right this. Let’s remember: in some countries being born a girl is a serious handicap. (Prof. Dr. Charlotte Esser, Cologne)”

I fear this is the interpretation we must agree with.