Neumann-Held E M
Europäische Akademie zur Erforschung von Folgen wissenschaftlich-technischer Entwicklungen GmbH, Wilhelmstr. 56, D-53474 Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Germany.
Med Health Care Philos. 2001;4(1):5-17. doi: 10.1023/a:1009974111171.
Particularly, but not exclusively, in Germany, concerns are uttered as to the consequences of modern biotechnological advances and their range of applications in the field of human genetics. Whereas the proponents of this research are mainly focussing on the possible knowledge that could be gained by understanding the causes of developmental processes and of disease on the molecular level, the critics fear the beginnings of a new eugenics movement. Without claiming a logical relationship between genetic sciences and eugenics movements, it is nevertheless suggested in this article that a connection between both can become established when the distinction between scientifically validated statements on one hand and guiding hypotheses and assumptions on the other hand is blurred, as is observed particularly when scientists report their results to the public. This claim is demonstrated in comparisons between the current state of scientific knowledge on the role of genes in development and causation of diseases, and the way this is presented to the public. It is required that a debate on biotechnology should include reflections on the validity of claims made by scientists.
特别是在德国，但不仅限于此，人们对现代生物技术进步及其在人类遗传学领域的应用范围所产生的后果表示担忧。这项研究的支持者主要关注通过在分子层面理解发育过程和疾病成因可能获得的知识，而批评者则担心新的优生学运动的开端。本文虽不主张遗传科学与优生学运动之间存在逻辑关系，但仍指出，当一方面经过科学验证的陈述与另一方面的指导性假设和猜想之间的区别变得模糊时，两者之间就可能建立起联系，特别是当科学家向公众报告他们的研究结果时就会出现这种情况。通过比较当前关于基因在发育和疾病成因中作用的科学知识现状以及向公众呈现的方式，证实了这一观点。要求关于生物技术的辩论应包括对科学家所提主张有效性的思考。
