So how does a mutation carrier gets to have a biological child AND avoid being blamed for endowing them with a potentially harmful genetic inheritance? This is where science comes into play and the genetic screening is performed on a selection of embryos instead of after birth.
This screening technique - called pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) [...]
Arribus-Allyson distinguishes between two forms of blame: internal states of the person (self-blame) or ethico-moral attributions to other persons (other-oriented responsibility). Self blame is intertwined with notions of guilt, however genetic other-oriented blame in the family sphere is more complex.
Holding one’s parents culpable for biological suffering has severe implications. Not only is this an action [...]
From Hallowell: “…previous research suggests that genetic testing may, indeed, lead to negative emotions such as guilt, blame and resentment within the family and these may have a deleterious effect on family relationships (e.g. Tibben et al. 1992, Chapple et al. 1995, Fanos and Johnson 1995).”
What is this deleterious effect? The existence of blame in [...]
When discussing societal moral codes and scrutiny of “blameworthy” reproductive behaviours, it is interesting to go back to Linda McClain’s work on American public policy and reproductive responsibility. Focusing on judgmental attitudes towards single, teenage or indigent parents, McClain criticises the ideological heaping of blame on individuals.
Can ideology be enforced on biological urges? There seem [...]
Going back to Hallowell’s accounts of non-carrier fathers, there was a strong representation of the idea that transmitting a mutation to one’s children is regarded as a personal matter. It may be unintentional, but it is constructed as blameworthy. However since carriers actually view themselves as unwitting participants, those who do transmit a mutation believe [...]
Also tagged guilt, intentionThere is an uneven use of exoneration towards family members. When a genetic mutation is discovered throughout the family line, the older generations are exonerated from blame. This is due to the apparent lack of intentions, evident by acceptable genetic ignorance in time of conception as well as the destructive effect blame can have on [...]
Also tagged generation, riskGoing back to “On Being Genetically “Irresponsible” (Andre, Fleck, Tomlinson 2000) one of the key arguments revolves around the theory that responsibility is considered somehow a character attribute rather than a form of action, and therefor accusing someone for being irresponsible is a critique of their personality rather than their behaviour.
“It is not just an [...]
Also tagged category, character, moral, personality