A reflective analysis of ethical arguments against germline genetic intervention

Germline genetic intervention (GGI) has become one of the most disputed topics within the biomedical ethics discipline in recent years. The most noticeable rejections against (GGI) are mostly metaphysical arguments those focus on the heritability, irreversibility of the technology as well as its possible negative impacts on the human dignity, human nature and personal identity. The aim of this thesis is to analyze these essentialist metaphysical arguments and to reach a consistent conclusion. To achieve this aim, a conceptual background regarding the history of genetics and theoretical details of the paradigmatic change from genetics towards epigenetics is also provided before the ethical discussions. Additionally, pro- and contra-ethical arguments in addition to legal texts, administrative reports and theological thoughts are also given significant space within the findings section. After essentialist metaphysical arguments against GGI are reflectively evaluated, it has been defended that these arguments have no power to justify banning GGI altogether, as they stand.