ABSTRACT
We have seen that many techniques enable parents to influence traits before birth, but only some o f these are currently feasible and generally legal. This chapter concentrates on two o f the most controversial-cloning and prenatal gene therapy. As with the previous chapter, I will analyse the regulatory mechanisms that have been adopted, or are likely to be adopted, in the EU countries, Canada, and the US, with particular emphasis on the UK. The approach of this chapter will, however, be somewhat different to that o f die previous chapter. Since both cloning and germ-line gene therapy are widely rejected as immoral, requiring legislative prohibition, this chapter will focus on the arguments that have been cited for and against these techniques. I will argue for prima facie presumptions in favour of permitting use o f these techniques in specifiable circumstances.
