How gene editing can “pursue good fortune and avoid disaster”： an ethical consideration of human gene editing for “seeking benefits and avoiding harm” under the thought of the way of heaven in the Book of Changes
10.12026/j.issn.1001-8565.2025.02.11
- VernacularTitle:基因编辑何以“趋吉避凶”——《周易》天道思想下人类基因编辑“趋利避害”的伦理考量
- Author:
Yujue WANG
1
;
Honglei ZHANG
1
;
Xiaoding WANG
1
Author Information
1. School of Medical Humanism， Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine， Nanjing 210023， China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
gene editing technology;
the Book of Changes;
the way of heaven;
ethical norm
- From:
Chinese Medical Ethics
2025;38(2):214-219
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
The thought of the way of heaven is the core philosophy of the Book of Changes， aiming to achieve the “pursuing good fortune and avoiding disaster” of human affairs or “seeking benefits and avoiding harm” in technology. The embedded value orientations， such as “continuous life”， “utmost sincerity”， and “correct desire”， provide ethical considerations for “seeking benefits and avoiding harm” in human gene editing technology. Among them， the thought of “continuous life” affirms the potential value of gene editing technology for human reproduction， diagnosis and treatment， or prevention of diseases and disabilities from two aspects of human reproduction and individual body and mind， while adopting a cautious attitude towards the risks of technology. The thought of “utmost sincerity” advocates that gene editing should be studied and applied following objective laws. The thought of “correct desire” puts forward the norm of human desire in human gene editing. In terms of the issue of offspring autonomy， the thought of the way of heaven provides some ethical support for parents to implement gene editing for their offspring for the sake of the offspring’s physical and mental development. In conclusion， the application of the thought of the way of heaven in the Book of Changes hopes that human gene editing technology will benefit mankind and provide it with broader prospects and a better future.
