Catholic Social Teachings

The Catechism of the Catholic Church in article 2275 states, "Certain attempts to influence chromosomic or genetic inheritance are not therapeutic but are aimed at producing human beings selected according to sex or other predetermined qualities. Such manipulations are contrary to the personal dignity of  human being and his integrity and identity which are unique and unrepeatable."

• The Catholic Church is against using gene therapy to enhance human beings, but allows it in circumstances when it is necessary for "individual survival" (Catechism 2275)

The Church also is against the use of gene therapy when it affects the lineage of the human race or not. Modification of multiple generations means unnaturally altering the creations that God has made. Therefore, there are two distinctive forms of gene therapy.

• Somatic cell therapy- genes are changed only in the "somatic cells" or normal cells of the human. The modifications are not passed on to the next generation.
• Germ line cell therapy- sperm or egg cells are altered, and the changes in DNA code are passed on to offspring.
• These beliefs are expressed in the Church document Dignitas Personae found at this site: Dignitas Personae- Vatican
• In alteration of the gene pool, and therefore human beings, " it must also be noted that in the attempt to create a new type of human being one can recognize an ideological element in which man tries to take the place of his Creator" (Dignitas Personae-Vatican Site).