PRESERVING DNA FOR THE FUTURE 
4 straight arguments in favor

Author: Dr. William Theaux - Editor: Leona Termini Theaux



Ancient DNA begins to be usefull for contemporary science,
Concurrently, use of present DNA increases dramatically - so rapidly that it opens unexpected ethical questions ; but Conservation could not be wrong, since it will only help a future when we shall aware enough of DNA's scientific possibilities.
Moreover Conservation of DNA in all probabilities is wise :


Mankind and/or planet Earth enters a phase of transformation, in sheer ecological unbalance. We understand that DNA is the template for the ecosystem. This is the plain situation where any responsible being makes backups and safeguards.

We know also how our DNA may be helpful for our children. Let's imagine a parent in good health, yet his or her ascendent suffered from a certain congenital disease - it shows that his or her DNA setup conterbalance effected a certain weakness. The descendent of this healthy parent may, at their turn, suffer from the far ancient disease - and they will then benefit from the knowledge of the make up which protected the intermediary healthy individual.  This does not mean that this final beneficiary would need a genetic engineering in depth - that may be morally questionable ; but some bacteria may be engineered to produce a very specific hormone, which may guaranty the well being of their life.  This is just an example of what we can expect from the new science of Genetics in the years to come.  It is a sad and mistrustful attitude to deprive one's descendents from the testomiony of a life link between generations - and a cheerful gift to leave four our children, the data of their ancestry.   It is also a way to express our confidence in their ability to use this help.

It is also a mark of morality in acknowledging the right for our children to know their ancestry.  In the near future, genetic knowledge of each person will transform a many centuries old situation where mostly fathers were uncertainly related to their children - this being the downgrading the biological circumstance of durability of a Y gene  .  The biological background of families will be so clear, that a temporization  today already makes obsolete an education one could give in reserving an access to the familial DNA record.

Personal conservation is also justified in regard to the present social/political situation. At the present time, DNA conservation is a rule for militaries, prisoners and hospitalized people. It is a threatening situation if one considers one's civil rights over one's own biology. Analysis of this cultural phase of social development is one of CYBEK's tasks, and manifests pratically through its DNAgroup organization.






© CYBEK of New York, 1999.