Refining the Predominant Values for the Global Governance of Human Genome Editing

A common theme that resulted from the Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) method applied to selected WHO and Humanity+ texts is global governance to minimise the risks and maximise the benefits of human genome editing. This theme comprises the main governance elements and reveals some shared values. These values were categorised into three: respect for individual rights (interpreted as autonomy in health and reproduction), protection of people who cannot express their wishes (referring mainly to future generations), and equality-solidarity. Current Bioethics has the task of refining these predominant values. This refinement is done by reinterpreting or complementing the meaning of these three given values. So, respect for individual rights-autonomy ceases to mean only the fulfilment of personal wishes in health and reproduction and connects to other values such as humility, responsibility, and sociability, also attentive to explicit and implicit coercions. The protection of people who cannot express their wishes, a value which refers mostly to future generations, is broadened to the protection of all the vulnerable. As for the value of equality and solidarity, it gains a consideration about intrinsic equality and extrinsic diversity, to be solid and avoid inconsistency.