Proposed amendment, human gene therapy 
because "shortness" Is devalued In society are seeking a technological solution 
In response to a social problem. The concept of an Ideal height. Ideal skin 
color, or Ideal weight Is a social construction. Cenetlc technologies designed 
to correct normal variations In human phenotypes help to legitimize an Ideology 
that places Inferior value on certain expressions of human diversity. Those 
who would apply genetic therapies to bring an Individual closer to a "normal" 
range" are caught up In an Inherent contradiction. First, the measure of "normal 
range" changes for each generation and for each culture. Second, the universal 
application of such therapy would artifically alter the normal range without 
offering any net benefits. Moreover, the mere availability of growth enhancement 
therapies, for example, creates a psychological atmosphere that further enhances 
the social value of "tallness" and thereby worsens the problem consequently. 
The potential role of genetics in enhancement therapies must be viewed as a social 
Issue that warrents broad public debate. NIH needs to enuclate clear restraints 
on the use of HSCT for the purpose of enhancement so as to avoid a slow and 
Incremental drift toward such applications without adequate social assessment. 
3. Cenetlc Therapy for the Prevention of Disease 
On the premise that genetic variation may explain differences In the 
onset of environmentally Induced diseases, some companies have Initiated genetic 
screening programs to Identify workers who are supposedly at greater risk from 
exposure to certain chemicals In the workplace. This shifts the responsibility 
for reducing occupational disease from management to workers. The availability 
of gene therapy could put undue pressure on workers, who would have to choose 
between the therapy or loss of Jobs. Many people In society strongly oppose 
the alteration of the human genome as a means to protect individuals against 
unnatural, hostile environments. The moral opprobrium over this use of HSCT 
is Independent of personal risks. The proposed addition to the guidelines makes 
explicit the restriction against the use of human subjects for such purposes. 
4. Genetic Manipulation of the Human Cerm Line 
Considerable opposition has been expressed from many segments of society 
against any genetic manipulation of human germ line cells. Cerm line manipulation 
through genetic additions or deletions In the 6perm, egg, or zygote would be 
tantamount to experimentation on future generations with no possibility of 
informed consent. It would also set up a direct path to programs of eugenics. 
Consequently, NIH should state, at the outset, that no germ line manipulation 
will be approved. 
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