Biophilosophy: From the Concept of Life to Genetic Engineering

Faculty of Health Sciences of Klaipeda University, 92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to explore biophilosophy's emerging perspectives on the concept of life and examine the boundaries of biopolitical power in the age of genetic engineering. The findings reveal that the notions of "life" and "the living" have been interpreted in diverse ways, from ancient Greek philosophy to modern discourses in biophilosophy, biopolitics, and biotechnology. Philosopher Foucault emphasized the interplay between life and power in biopolitical systems, highlighting how state institutions attempt to control living beings. Philosopher Thacker argues that biophilosophy in the 21st century is not a neutral field but one striving to define a political ontology. He calls for a methodologically new approach to understanding life - an approach made increasingly relevant by advancements in genetic engineering. The United States pioneered use of genetically modified organisms, especially in agriculture. Experiments extend to animals, and the field now moves beyond gene editing into the creation of entirely new life forms. Synthetic biology is now seen as a transformative and radical aspect of genetic engineering, enabling the construction of novel organisms from scratch. The rapid development of genetic engineering has raised complex ethical and social issues related to the manipulation of the genetic structure of living organisms.