21 - The Regulation of Human Germline Genome Modification in Israel

Summary

Israel defines itself as a ‘Jewish democratic state’, an expression that conveys the Jewish and liberal roots of its political, cultural and legal identity. In Jewish tradition, attempting to cure disease and save lives is of paramount value and Jewish culture hence encourages open-minded attitudes towards research efforts that have therapeutic goals. Zionist narratives also play a role in shaping policy towards genetic and reproductive technologies and pro-science attitudes echo the Zionist narrative that links scientific and technological innovation with the notion of transforming the Jews into a modern nation. Consequently, Israel does not ban basic research involving human germline modification and draws the line only at attempting to create a ‘genetically modified person’. Human germline genome modification is regulated in Israel under the 1999 Prohibition of Genetic Intervention (Human Cloning and Genetic Manipulation of Reproductive Cells) Law. This Law has been amended three times: in 2004, 2009 and 2016. The current version is set to expire on 23 May 2020. The Israeli Law prohibits two activities: human reproductive cloning, and the use of ‘reproductive cells that have undergone a permanent intentional genetic modification (germline gene therapy) in order to cause the creation of a person’.