title: Cohen's Conservatism and Human Enhancement.
abstract: In an intriguing essay, G. A. Cohen has defended a conservative bias in favour of existing value. In this paper, we consider whether Cohen's conservatism raises a new challenge to the use of human enhancement technologies. We develop some of Cohen's suggestive remarks into a new line of argument against human enhancement that, we believe, is in several ways superior to existing objections. However, we shall argue that on closer inspection, Cohen's conservatism fails to offer grounds for a strong sweeping objection to enhancement, and may even offerpositivesupport for forms of enhancement that preserve valuable features of human beings. Nevertheless, we concede that Cohen's arguments may suggest some plausible and important constraints on themodalityof legitimate and desirable enhancements.
authors.affiliation: Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, Suite 8, Littlegate House, St Ebbes Street, Oxford, OX1 1PT UK.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pugh
authors.affiliation: Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, Suite 8, Littlegate House, St Ebbes Street, Oxford, OX1 1PT UK.
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kahane
authors.affiliation: Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, Suite 8, Littlegate House, St Ebbes Street, Oxford, OX1 1PT UK.
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Savulescu
keywords: Conservatism; Enhancement; G. A. Cohen; Value