Social and Ethical Implications of Creating Artificial Cells
Social and Ethical Implications of Creating Artificial Cells
This chapter explores the worries that protocells are inherently bad because they are unnatural, that they violate the sanctity of life, or that their creators are “playing God.” It notes that making decisions about artificial cells requires being courageous about accepting uncertain risks when warranted by the potential gains. This chapter shows that all of the intrinsic objections to the creation of artificial cells turn out to be vague, simplistic, or ill-conceived. It then analyzes the extrinsic objections that turn on the consequences of artificial cells. It suggests that appropriately balancing the virtues of courage and caution would preserve the attractions of the precautionary principle while avoiding its weaknesses.
Keywords: artificial cells, intrinsic objections, extrinsic objections, courage, caution, protocells, precautionary principle
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