Genetic Engineering*

how we influence gene pool

1)Social Policies

2)eugenics--e.g. testing and abortions or

decisions not to have children

3)engineering of genes

-examples of diseases or disabilities that

are determined by genes:  Downs,

Huntingtons, Parkinson's, Tay Sacs, Cystic

Fibrosis

-some diseases are so horrible, one has to

ask whether it's fair to bring child into the

world--e.g. Tay Sacs

-many others constitute disabilities, in

which child's life is certainly worth living

-but if we could engineer the disability out

would this be the right thing to do?

-A question is whether the child would be

the same child?

-the question of whether eugenic or

engineering shows disrespect for the

disabled

-how our attitudes are divided:  it is a fact

that parents want to have "normal"

children; on the other hand, we believe

that every person merits equal respect

-slippery slope arguments; the case of the

Nazis

-the argument about not playing God; how

do we know what God wants?  Couldn't

the same argument apply to ordinary

cures?

-The BNW world argument against:

autonomy:  but what about the genetic

supermarket?  I.e. keeping choices in the

control of parents:  the case of deafness

and implants

-negative versus positive engineering: 

would it be wrong to enhance human

characteristics?  If not, why not?

TWO