As demonstrated by Lemke in the quote below, genetic information is perceived as the ‘key to freedom’. What does this freedom entail? Is it freedom of uncertainty? Freedom of doubt? Freedom of guilt? It can be argued that one of those promised new freedoms is the freedom of choice. Hence in order to exercise this freedom to choose, one must know their potential choices.
The concept of freedom of choice is widely prevailed in issues of conception. The Freedom of Choice Act is the bill declaring that it is the policy of the United States that every woman has the fundamental right to choose to bear a child or to terminate a pregnancy. Choice is also present when discussing the issue of gender selection (more on that later).
However when presented with information that reveals genetic risks to potential offsprings, the choice becomes a duty to demonstrate responsible action. Anything that could have been blamed on nature or fate turns into a conscious choice, with all of the intentions it implies.
“As human beings, we are endowed with freedom of choice, and we cannot shuffle off our responsibility upon the shoulders of God or nature. We must shoulder it ourselves. It is our responsibility.” (Toynbee)
Post a Comment