A rational and naturalistic definition of ethical norms must stipulate the preservation of the DNA typical of the species and the maintenance of its intra specific variability. Indeed, this aim of preserving the DNA of the species and preserving its intra specific variability is the basic principle of bioethics. The historically limited behaviour can be related to morality which can assume different norms in different hostorical contexts. Morality could therefore be governed by religion or normalized by discipline. Ethics, instead of (...) that, would be a purely biological and ecological discipline. (shrink)

The Human Genome Decoding Project is progressing rapidly and the full sequences of the 3.2 bilions bases and its representation on the 23 chromosomes will be completed by 2003. The ethical impact of such innovative knowledge for Humankind is relevant. Who will detect the property of this informations and which organization will decide on its potential applications? The anthropological and philosophical implications of these innovative knowledges are presented and discussed.