Vani Kesari, A; Dr. N.S. Soman(Cochin University of Science and Technology, July 2, 2015)
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Abstract:
The study on the concept of sanctity of human life is a journey in finding out what
is it said to be “human” in human life. It is an evaluation of the universal concept and
the role it plays in controlling and moulding human conduct and relationships. This
concept is a foundational principle of human rights law and the grundnorm of every legal
system. However, of late, the challenges by way of certain advances in human genetic
research had prompted the need to evaluate the significance and extent of the concept in
human endeavours.
Scientific advances by way of human genetic research promises significant
diagnostic and therapeutic advances but at the same time pose threat to fundamental
notions and assumptions on humanity, hence there is a global concern to derive common
legal standards, Thus the major challenge is to analyse universal principles which can be
a common criteria for evolving legal standards to control certain advances in human
genetic research. Hence the relevance of the study.
The study aims at analysing the content, scope, extent and limitation of the
concept of sanctity of human life. In this attempt it evaluates the extent to which the
concept had been accommodated by legal systems and international human rights
regimes. The problem which had been undertaken in the study is the extent of intrusion
made to the concept by virtue of certain advances in human genetic research.