Ethical Issues of Embryo Genetic Manipulation

Genetic manipulation of the embryo is a field of human knowledge, where that genetic engineering can provide an acceptable treatment for some disorders. This new technologies meanwhile, important developments in the treatment of some diseases, has been caused numerous issues in the field of bioethics; in the medical, biologic, ethical and legal aspects. Thus, this narrative review aimed to evaluate the challenges and disadvantages of the embryo genetic manipulation.
The present narrative study was conducted by using key words such as gene therapy or genetic manipulation or genetic engineering, and ethical and legal issues. This comprehensive search was conducted in the SID, PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases and in the period 1990 to 2015. Then, 30 related articles were reviewed and analyzed.
Ethical considerations: Honesty and integrity in the search, analysis and reporting texts were taken into consideration.
Findings: we identified two issues under the embryo genetic manipulation: gene therapy and eugenics. This study showed that embryo genetic manipulation increased some problems such as the occurrence of viral infections, ‘eugenics’ and ‘children Order’ phenomena and also, high financial costs. These problems can causes ethical issues such as monopoly, discrimination against persons with disabilities, aggression to fetus autonomy and the conflict between private and public interests.
It is required to be Precise controlling in the genetic manipulation of embryo, especially by considering ethics and legislation.