Human Dignity, Human Rights, and Human Genetics

Reviews the employment of the idea of human dignity in international human rights instruments. Isolates two seminal notions of human dignity: the idea that human beings must not be treated simply as a means; and the idea that dignified conduct is a virtue. Analyzes these core ideas from a duty led perspective, and interprets them from a rights led perspective. Considers how far the analysis supports the view that respect for human dignity requires prohibitions on commercialization of the human genome, human germ line interventions, and human reproductive cloning. Concludes that the concept of human dignity has a legitimate place in debates about human genetics. (Quotes from original text)