ABSTRACT
Genetic technology has given us the ability to intervene in the functions of somatic and germ cells to treat, prevent, or even cure genetically caused diseases. Presently, we can add normal copies of genes to cells with defective genes so that the proteins the genes encode will maintain proper cell functioning. It also may become possible to replace malfunctioning genes with normal ones. Both somatic-and germ-cell manipulation have significant metaphysical and moral implications. They can affect the identities of the individuals whose genes are manipulated and can determine who is benefited or harmed by intervening to treat physical and mental disorders with a genetic cause.
