Motulsky A G
Science. 1974 Aug;185(4152):653-63. doi: 10.1126/science.185.4152.653.
Recent developments in biology and medicine are raising new problems in the prevention and treatment of birth defects, and in research on these diseases. The problems include immediate issues such as genetic counseling, abortion for birth defects, the withholding of complex treatments from individuals in some situations, screening for genetic and other diseases, artificial insemination, and fertilization in vitro. Other problems, such as the dysgenic effects of modern medicine and the possibilities of cloning and gene therapy, are more remote. Each of these issues should be considered on its own merits and by its immediate and remote consequences rather than by a priori absolute criteria. Ways must be found to deal with these issues in a manner acceptable to most human beings. Open discussions and freedom from coercion are the best guarantees for ultimate success. The ethical human brain is the highest accomplishment of biologic evolution. By harmonizing our scientific, cultural, and ethical capabilities, the potentially achievable results can place us at the threshold of a new era of better health and less human suffering.
生物学和医学领域的最新进展在出生缺陷的预防与治疗以及这些疾病的研究方面引发了新问题。这些问题包括诸如遗传咨询、因出生缺陷而堕胎、在某些情况下对个体停止复杂治疗、遗传及其他疾病的筛查、人工授精和体外受精等紧迫问题。其他问题，如现代医学的不良遗传影响以及克隆和基因治疗的可能性，则较为遥远。这些问题中的每一个都应根据其自身的优缺点以及直接和间接后果来考虑，而不是依据先验的绝对标准。必须找到以大多数人可接受的方式处理这些问题的方法。公开讨论和免受强制是最终成功的最佳保障。有道德的人类大脑是生物进化的最高成就。通过协调我们的科学、文化和道德能力，潜在可实现的成果能够使我们站在一个健康状况更佳、人类痛苦更少的新时代的门槛上。
