From left: Prof. Claude Mangion, Dr Jean Buttigieg and Mr Robert Farrugia Flores
Dr Jean Buttigieg is the author of 'The Human Genome as Common Heritage of Mankind', which has just been published by Ibidem Press.
The book launch was held at the University of Malta on 19 October.
In The Human Genome as Common Heritage of Mankind, Dr Jean Buttigieg provides a welcome contribution to the burning issue of what it is that constitutes the makeup of humanity; the short answer is the human genome.
His philosophical analysis demonstrates the need to provide a metaphysical foundation to the scientific research that is being conducted on the human genome so as to challenge the idea that such research belongs to the private sector motivated by commercial interests.
On the contrary, the benefits derived from such research belong to all of humanity, given that the human genome is a crucial part of what Pardo (from who Buttigieg draws his inspiration), would have called ‘the common heritage of mankind’.
In an era when the differences between humans are repeatedly emphasized, Buttigieg’s work aligns itself with a movement that is striving to recuperate the old-fashioned idea that, despite superficial differences, there are some features that are inherent to all humanity.