ABSTRACT
Biology, the science of life, is currently the subject of intense discussion. This is because discoveries in the areas of embryology, genetics, and – the culmination – the decoding of the human genome serve not only to increase our knowledge, but, in principle, also to open the door to new possibilities for exerting influence on human life. Moreover, these discoveries arouse speculation and fantasy that if they are put to general use, they will decidedly change our world. Although some medical uses of the new technologies, particularly gene technology, have meanwhile gained wide acceptance, concern about both the effects of the new methods and the unforeseeable consequences, despite good intentions, is widespread. for these reasons, the current debate in Germany concentrates on the handling of in vitro human embryos and the possibilities of gene manipulation. Within Europe, the regulations regarding the handling of human embryos are very different. The restrictive laws in Germany and ireland, for example, stand in contrast to the liberal laws in countries like Sweden or England. As long as no general consensus in this matter, which concerns everyone, is reached, and no reasonable regulations are established that are binding, at least within Europe, then the debate will continue.
