Within the discussion of genetic responsibility, and especially in relation to pre-conception solutions there is a constant question of the ethical treatment of “possible persons”. With technology and longevity comes a tendency to always look ahead and to seek for methods of control. Science + future forecasting makes prevention of possible people from existing an [...]
Also tagged carrier, future, moral, predeterminedThe mother’s drive to protect her children is the most powerful heroic instinct we know. Having children is a way of ensuring our genes are passed on to the next generation. Humans usually have just one child at a time, so they are prepared to do virtually anything to ensure their children are safe.
Natural [...]
Is this purely eugenics or a biologically justified form of technology assisted natural selection? What kind of life would these prenataly selected embryos will lead as adults? Knowing their parents have invested greatly in creating a cancer-free child, could they ever justify keeping an unhealthy lifestyles? Are they free to make any possibly damaging life [...]
Also tagged choice, future, PGDAccusations of responsibility can be not only condescending and insulting, but also distracting, drawing attention away from what is really at stake: often questions about role-related responsibilities and about the degree to which human beings should try to shape the world in which we find ourselves.
When Andre talks about the degree to which we [...]
There is something strange in the discussion around genetic responsibility and eugenics. On the one hand natural breeding with no consideration of genetic information is criticised as irresponsible and blameworthy conduct. With prenatal screening and embryo selection parents cannot be blamed for suffering because they have done the best they could to prevent it.
However the [...]