The wisdom of caution: genetic enhancement and future children.
Many scholars predict that the technology to modify unborn children genetically is on the horizon. According to supporters of genetic enhancement, allowing parents to select a child's traits will enable him/her to experience a better life. Following their logic, the technology will not only increase our knowledge base and generate cures for genetic illness, but it may enable us to increase the intelligence, strength, and longevity of future generations as well. Yet it must be examined whether supporters of genetic enhancement, especially libertarians, adequately appreciate the ethical hazards emerging from the technology, including whether its use might violate the harm principle.
Borenstein
Jason
J
Graduate Research Ethics Programs, School of Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology,Atlanta, GA 30332-0345, USA. borenstein@gatech.edu
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000628:therapy*; D024861:Genetic Enhancement / Q000941:ethics*; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D010290:Parents; D011247:Pregnancy; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000941:ethics*