TITLE :

Ethical Contemplations In Indian Science Fiction: The Case Of Gene Editing

AUTHORS :

Manisha Saluja* and Khushi

ABSTRACT :

With the unbridled advancement in science and technology, ethical concerns have increasingly occupied the imagination of scientists and thinkers. Science fiction narratives, specifically, engage with the looming questions of morality and ethics in the realm of scientific experimentation. This study offers a critical examination of representations of ethical dilemmas regarding gene editing in Indian science fiction narratives with a special focus on Mohan Sundara Rajan’s short story “The Escapades of a Clone,’’ Manjula Padmanabhan’s Harvest, Amitav Ghosh’s The Calcutta Chromosome, and S.B. Divya’s Machinehood. The exploration of cloning and genetic manipulation is analysed in these texts within the broader context of contemporary scientific advancements and the associated moral challenges. This research further explores the subtle perspectives these works offer on the potential consequences of unrestrained technological progress. The study foregrounds the tension between scientific curiosity and ethical responsibility, punctuating the relevance of these fictional narratives in contemporary bioethical discussions. Through a detailed analysis of character development, narrative structure, and thematic depth, the research argues that Indian science fiction not only anticipates future technological possibilities but also serves as a critical platform for interrogating the ethical implications of such advancements. While these texts are studied in the purview of Indian philosophical thought they are also studied as valid repositories of ethical discourse.

DOI :

https://doi.org/10.52253/vjta.2024.v05i02.05

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