Annotation

The main objectives of the article are: a) to define the concept of «morphological freedom» in the modern legal field; b) to classify the stages of this concept's development; c) to analyze the readiness of legal education to develop new competencies in future lawyers in the context of advancing genomic technologies. The article examines the gap between the pace of biomedical progress and the level of legal literacy among specialists and ways to overcome it. Methodology. The study is based on an interdisciplinary axiological approach, combining formal legal analysis and comparative law. The paper utilizes forecasting and systems analysis methods for the educational requirements for training future lawyers. Conclusions. It has been established that the traditional paradigm of legal education fails to meet the challenges of the biotechnological revolution. «Morphological freedom» in the modern world is developing in a legal vacuum, creating serious risks: discrimination based on biological characteristics, the renewal of fundamental human rights, the de facto elimination of the right to privacy, etc. The lack of specialized competence (legal literacy) among practicing lawyers will soon become a barrier to the effective protection of citizens' rights and the legal support of scientific research. Scientific and Practical Significance. The scientific value of this work lies in expanding theoretical understanding of the concept of «morphological freedom» and the legal status of modified humans. Its practical significance lies in its justification for systemic changes to the educational programs of law schools.