Psychoanalytic Perspective on Modification of the Human Genome

In an era of rapid advances in technology for improving the human body and preserving memory, bioengineering raises both hopes for societal benefits and concerns about potential irreversible consequences. The master's thesis "Psychoanalytical view of modification of the human genome" is devoted to the study of the phenomenon of human genetic modification from the point of view of psychoanalysis. The main attention is paid to the unconscious mental processes that are hidden behind the desire to change the genome of a person or his descendants. The theoretical part of the master's tesis presents the concepts of leading psychoanalysts, including: the ideas of S. Freud, M. Klein and O. Kernberg on narcissism, D. Winnicott on the formation of the False Self, and F. Dolto on body image. In the practical part, through the analysis of the film “Gattaca”, as well as through a survey, we tried to answer several important questions: is it possible for people with narcissistic tendencies to become dependent on genetic engineering, and also whether changes at the genetic level can cause an imbalance in perception bodily and mental.