The inevitability of genetic enhancement technologies.
We outline a number of ethical objections to genetic technologies aimed at enhancing human capacities and traits. We then argue that, despite the persuasiveness of some of these objections, they are insufficient to stop the development and use of genetic enhancement technologies. We contend that the inevitability of the technologies results from a particular guiding worldview of humans as masters of the human evolutionary future, and conclude that recognising this worldview points to new directions for ethical thinking about genetic enhancement technologies.
Baylis
Francoise
F
Department of Bioethics, Department of Philosophy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4H7. francoise.baylis@dal.ca
Robert
Jason Scott
JS
D030861:Capitalism; D024861:Genetic Enhancement / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D011057:Politics; D012067:Religion; D040841:Resource Allocation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012925:Social Conformity; D012945:Social Values