Epigenetics: Ethical, Legal and Social Aspects (Technikzukünfte, Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft / Futures of Technology, Science and Society)

Modern epigenetics unites scientists from life sciences, organic chemistry as well as computer and engineering sciences to find an answer to the question of how environmental influences can have a lasting effect on gene expression, maybe even into the next generations. This volume examines from an interdisciplinary perspective the ethical, legal and social aspects of epigenetics. Contents " Introduction to Epigenetics " The Assessment of Emerging Technology " Epigenetics and Genetic Determinism (in Popular Science) " Intergenerational Justice as a Topic of an Ethics of Epigenetics " About the Ethical Ambivalence of Epigenetic Knowledge " Biological, Medical, Social, and Ethical Challenges " Learning from and Shaping the Public Discourse about Epigenetics " State of the Public Discourse on Epigenetics " New Aspects of Chemicals Policy " Epigenetics and Legal Regulations " Epigenetics and the Protection of Personality Rights " Adam's Apple and His Legacy " Epigenetics and Original Sin Target Groups Scholars and students in science and technology studies, biology, philosophy, sociology, theory of science, history of science, law and theology Editors Reinhard Heil and Harald König are researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Stefanie B. Seitz was a researcher at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology until January 2016 and is currently working for the DBFZ - Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gGmbH, Leipzig. Jürgen Robienski is a German lawyer in Hannover and Müden/Aller (Lower Saxony). He is a research fellow at the Center of Ethics and Law in the Life Sciences (CELLS) of Leibniz University in Hannover Contents 6 1 Introduction 8 Abstract 8 References 15 2 Introduction to Epigenetics 18 Abstract 18 1 Basic Principles of Epigenetic Concepts 19 2 Levels of Epigenetic Gene Control 21 2.1 DNA Methylation 21 2.2 Histone Modifications 23 2.3 Epigenetics and ‘Non-coding’ RNAs 26 3 Epigenomics 28 4 Lessons from Epigenomics 30 4.1 Epigenetics and Adaptation 30 4.2 Concepts of Epigenetic Inheritance in Humans 31 4.3 Perspectives in Epigenetic Research 33 References 34 3 Too Early or Too Late? The Assessment of Emerging Technology 37 Abstract 37 1 Introduction 38 2 Criteria of Relevance for Technology Assessment 39 3 Discussion 42 References 45 4 Epigenetics and Genetic Determinism (in Popular Science) 47 Abstract 47 1 Introduction 47 2 Epigenetics 48 2.1 Waddington’s Epigenetics 48 2.2 Molecular Epigenetics 50 3 Genetic Determinism 52 3.1 Simple Genetic Determinism 52 3.2 Covert Genetic Determinism 53 3.3 From Fatalism to Activism 55 4 Against Genetic Determinism 56 References 58 5 Identity and Non-identity. Intergenerational Justice as a Topic of an Ethics of Epigenetics 61 Abstract 61 1 Introduction 62 2 A Moral Paradox? 62 3 Is a Retrospective Moral Accusation Possible? 63 4 Karnein’s Theses 64 5 Identity, Non-identity and Intergenerational Obligations 65 6 Objections Against Karnein 66 7 One’s Own Existence as a Harm 67 8 The Subject of Retrospective Moral Accusation 69 9 Solution and Prospect 71 References 72 6 Genetics, Epigenetics and Forms of Action. About the Ethical Ambivalence of Epigenetic Knowledge 74 Abstract 74 1 Introduction 74 2 Epigenetics and Genetics 75 3 Epigenetics and Environment 76 4 Ethics of Epigenetics 79 5 Handling of Epigenetic Findings 80 5.1 Perception and Responsibility 83 5.2 Distance and Meaning 83 5.3 Defined Interactions and Historical Communication 84 5.4 Quantity and Rank 84 6 Conclusion 85 References 85 7 Epigenetics: Biological, Medical, Social, and Ethical Challenges 87 Abstract 87 1 Epigenetics: Still a Young Discipline 88 2 Gene Regulation and Reversibility 88 3 Knowledge, Ignorance, and Science Communication 90 4 Intergenerational Justice for Reproduction 92 5 Responsibility in Society with Regard to Reproduction 94 6 Epi-Genetic Meta-Insights? 96 References 96 8 Learning from and Shaping the Public Discourse About Epigenetics 99 Abstract 99 1 Introduction 99 2 Epigenetics from the Perspective of Technology Assessment 102 3 TA’s View of the Public Discourse About Epigenetics 103 3.1 Definitions and Benchmarks for ‘Public Discourse’ 103 3.2 Why Is the ‘Public Discourse’ on Epigenetics Relevant? 104 3.3 The Limits of Public Participation 107 4 Conclusion 108 References 110 9 State of the Public Discourse on Epigenetics 113 Abstract 113 1 Introduction 114 2 Media Analysis 115 2.1 Ad Hoc Media Analysis as an Indicator of the State of the Public Discourse 115 2.2 Medial Presence of the Topic 115 2.3 Guiding Themes of the Coverage of Epigenetics 116 3 Discourse Analysis 117 3.1 Epigenetics in Self-help Literature 117 3.2 Epigenetics from the Recipients’ Point of View 118 3.3 Spiritual Topics in the Discourse on Epigenetics 119 4 Evaluation of a Public Event 120 4.1 Background of the Event 120 4.2 The Audience’s State of Knowledge of the Topic of Epigenetics 121 4.3 Major Issues During the Discussion with the Audience 122 4.4 Participation in the Public Discourse 123 5 Conclusions 124 References 125 10 Epigenetics—New Aspects of Chemicals Policy 128 Abstract 128 1 Introduction: The Significance of Epigenetics 129 2 The Influence of Chemicals on Epigenetic Markings and Possible Consequences 130 3 Risk Assessment of Endocrine Active Substances 131 4 Regulation of Endocrine Active Substances 135 5 Summary and Outlook 138 References 139 11 Epigenetics and Legal Regulations: A Challenge for the State’s Obligation to Protect Environment, Individual’s Health and Civil Rights 143 Abstract 143 1 Introduction 143 2 Epigenetics and the State’s Responsibility 145 2.1 The Precautionary Principle 146 2.2 Preventive Public Health Care 146 3 A Civil Right to Compensation and Social Right to Reimbursement 147 3.1 Civil Right to Compensation 148 3.2 Medical Liability 149 3.3 Social Right to Reimbursement 150 4 Child Protection 152 5 Epigenetic Technological Application 153 6 Epigenetics and an Individual’s Civil Rights 155 7 Conclusion 156 References 156 12 Epigenetics and the Protection of Personality Rights 159 Abstract 159 1 Introduction 160 2 Epigenetics: Definition and Delimitation 161 2.1 Epigenetics: Definition 161 2.2 Epigenetics Compared to the Traditional Understanding of Genetics 162 3 Epigenetic Mechanisms and Pathogenesis 162 4 Legal Framework of Genetic Diagnostics 163 4.1 Medical Treatment: Doctor-Patient Relationship 164 Influence on Fundamental Rights: Right of Personality 164 Provisions of the GenDG 165 4.2 Employment and Insurance Relationships 166 Influence on Fundamental Rights 166 Provisions of the GenDG 167 5 Legal Framework for Genetic Research 167 6 Specific Impact of Epigenetics 168 6.1 Medical Treatment 168 6.2 Employment and Insurance Relationships 169 6.3 Research 169 7 Conclusion 170 References 171 13 Adam’s Apple and His Legacy: Ethical Perspectives on Epigenetics with an Excursion to the Field of Body Weight Regulation 173 Abstract 173 1 Introduction 173 2 Conceptual Preliminary Considerations 175 3 Body Weight Regulation as a Paradigmatic Field of Epigenetic Research 177 3.1 Stages of Obesity Genomics 178 3.2 Relevance for Prevention 180 4 Ethical Perspectives 182 5 Conclusion 184 References 185 14 Epigenetics and Original Sin. Theological-Ethical Reflections on Heredity and Responsibility 187 Abstract 187 1 Introduction and Question 188 1.1 Epigenetics as an Explanatory Model 188 1.2 Ethical Relevance of Epigenetics 191 2 Theological-Ethical Approaches 192 2.1 What Is Original Sin? 193 2.2 Original Sin and Theological Anthropology 195 2.3 Theological Ethics of Responsibility 197 2.4 Epigenetics and Original Sin 198 References 200 Modern epigenetics unites scientists from life sciences, organic chemistry as well as computer and engineering sciences to find an answer to the question of how environmental influences can have a lasting effect on gene expression, maybe even into the next generations. This volume examines from an interdisciplinary perspective the ethical, legal and social aspects of epigenetics. Contents " Introduction to Epigenetics " The Assessment of Emerging Technology " Epigenetics and Genetic Determinism (in Popular Science) " Intergenerational Justice as a Topic of an Ethics of Epigenetics " About the Ethical Ambivalence of Epigenetic Knowledge " Biological, Medical, Social, and Ethical Challenges " Learning from and Shaping the Public Discourse about Epigenetics " State of the Public Discourse on Epigenetics " New Aspects of Chemicals Policy " Epigenetics and Legal Regulations " Epigenetics and the Protection of Personality Rights " Adam's Apple and His Legacy " Epigenetics and Original Sin Target Groups Scholars and students in science and technology studies, biology, philosophy, sociology, theory of science, history of science, law and theology Editors Reinhard Heil and Harald König are researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Stefanie B. Seitz was a researcher at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology until January 2016 and is currently working for the DBFZ - Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gGmbH, Leipzig. Jürgen Robienski is a German lawyer in Hannover and Müden/Aller (Lower Saxony). He is a research fellow at the Center of Ethics and Law in the Life Sciences (CELLS) of Leibniz University in Hannover Front Matter....Pages i-vi Introduction....Pages 1-10 Introduction to Epigenetics....Pages 11-29 Too Early or Too Late? The Assessment of Emerging Technology....Pages 31-40 Epigenetics and Genetic Determinism (in Popular Science)....Pages 41-54 Identity and Non-identity. Intergenerational Justice as a Topic of an Ethics of Epigenetics....Pages 55-67 Genetics, Epigenetics and Forms of Action. About the Ethical Ambivalence of Epigenetic Knowledge....Pages 69-81 Epigenetics: Biological, Medical, Social, and Ethical Challenges....Pages 83-94 Learning from and Shaping the Public Discourse About Epigenetics....Pages 95-108 State of the Public Discourse on Epigenetics....Pages 109-123 Epigenetics—New Aspects of Chemicals Policy....Pages 125-139 Epigenetics and Legal Regulations: A Challenge for the State’s Obligation to Protect Environment, Individual’s Health and Civil Rights....Pages 141-156 Epigenetics and the Protection of Personality Rights....Pages 157-170 Adam’s Apple and His Legacy: Ethical Perspectives on Epigenetics with an Excursion to the Field of Body Weight Regulation....Pages 171-184 Epigenetics and Original Sin. Theological-Ethical Reflections on Heredity and Responsibility....Pages 185-200