The Worth of a Life -- Part II -- Bio, Gov, Soc
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Patricia Bauer just wrote an op-ed piece for the Washington Post entitled "The Debate No One Wants to Have" arguing that many Americans take it for granted that if genetic testing makes it possible to screen babies with major disabilities while they are still embryos, it would be kinder to simply abort such an imperfect being rather than bring him or her into the world.
Whatever your political views on this particular question, we are beginning to see the first leading edges of a debate on various methods of human biological optimization, of which simple genetic screening is one of the simplest and crudest. If aborting an embryo, no matter how crippled, apalls you, how would you feel if you had the technology to cure that unborn child completely? Even to enhance his or her capabilities permanently?
How much is that child's original genetic code an inalienable right, a fundamental element of their being?
These are heady questions, but what is fascinating is that they are increasingly coming out of the obscure corners where they have been debated by ethicists, geneticists, biochemists and enthusiasts and are moving into the cultural and political mainstream.
As a fan of informative public debate, I must say this looks promising, whatever its ultimate outcome.
Future Imperative
Patricia Bauer just wrote an op-ed piece for the Washington Post entitled "The Debate No One Wants to Have" arguing that many Americans take it for granted that if genetic testing makes it possible to screen babies with major disabilities while they are still embryos, it would be kinder to simply abort such an imperfect being rather than bring him or her into the world.
Whatever your political views on this particular question, we are beginning to see the first leading edges of a debate on various methods of human biological optimization, of which simple genetic screening is one of the simplest and crudest. If aborting an embryo, no matter how crippled, apalls you, how would you feel if you had the technology to cure that unborn child completely? Even to enhance his or her capabilities permanently?
How much is that child's original genetic code an inalienable right, a fundamental element of their being?
These are heady questions, but what is fascinating is that they are increasingly coming out of the obscure corners where they have been debated by ethicists, geneticists, biochemists and enthusiasts and are moving into the cultural and political mainstream.
As a fan of informative public debate, I must say this looks promising, whatever its ultimate outcome.
Future Imperative
posted by Ralph Cerchione | Tuesday, October 18, 2005
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