Conclusion

Abstract

The conclusion begins by summarizing the history of barriers on the slippery slope of the human gene editing debate. A number of more meta-issues that the overall analysis has raised are discussed. First, the chapter analyses whether any barrier can hold in this debate, or whether what is allowable will slide down the slope as our technological abilities grow. The second issue is whether a barrier could be anchored in expertise and authority, instead of rules. This may be possible outside of the United States. Third, the reader is reminded that there is a group of participants in the debate who do not see a slide toward dystopia but a climb to a utopian future. Finally, the chapter discusses generalizations about barriers on slippery slopes that could be applied to other debates.