Genetic interventions, inequalities and the role of the state


Grigorios Athanasiadis
Abstract
A central issue in the ethical public debate on genetic enhancement concerns the inequalities in skills, opportunities and welfare that might be created and established between rich and poor. Many argue that if only the wealthy can have access to enhancements, then existing unjust inequalities will be consolidated and new ones will emerge in the future. Therefore, they argue, state has a role to play against the exacerbating of existing inequalities and the emergence of future ones and determine a genetic policy that will regulate a fair distribution of genetic means under specific principles of justice. This article has two main sections. In the first and shorter section, I examine a case where access to enhancement would be unlimited for everyone. In the second and longer section, I examine the principles that a state should adopt in order to treat the unjust inequalities that could result from limited access to enhancement. Finally, I outline part of my own approach to a just genetic state policy.
Article Details
  • Rubrik
  • Original Articles
Downloads
Keine Nutzungsdaten vorhanden.
Literaturhinweise
Arneson J. Richard. Luck Egalitarianism and Prioritarianism. Ethics 2000, 110(2): 339-349.
Bostrom Nick. Human genetic enhancements: A transhumanist perspective. Journal of Value Inquiry 2003, 37(4): 493-506. Ηλεκτρονική διεύθυνση: https://www.nickbostrom.com/ethics/genetic.html-[Πρόσβαση στις 17 Φεβρουαρίου 2014.]
Brock Dan. Enhancing of human function: some distinctions for policymakers. In: Erik Parens (ed). Enhancing human traits: ethical and social implications. Georgetown University, Washington DC, 1997: 48-69.
Buchanan E. Allen. Enhancement and the Ethics of Development, Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal 2008, 18 (1): 1-34.
Farrelly Collin. The genetic difference principle. American Journal of Bioethics 2004, 4(2): W21-W28.
Fox Dov. Luck, Genes, and Equality, The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 2007, 35: 712-726.
Fox Dov. The illiberality of ‘liberal eugenics’. Ratio 2007, 20: 1-25.
Green Ronald. Babies by Design. The Ethics of Genetic Choice. Yale University Pres, New Haven and London, 2008.
Mehlman Maxwell J. The Law of Above Averages: Leveling the New Genetic Enhancement Playing Field. Faculty Publications 1997, Paper 272.
Parfit Derek. Equality and Priority. Ratio 1997, 10(3): 202-221.
Protopapadakis Evangelos. From Dawn till Dusk. Bioethical Insights into the beginning and the End of Life. Λόγος, 2019: 84-85.
Rawls John. Θεωρία Δικαιοσύνης, Μτφ. Βασιλογιάννης Κ. Φίλιππος. Πόλις, Αθήνα, 2017.
Resnik David. Genetic Engineering and Social Justice. Social Theory and Practice 1997, 23(3): 427-448.
Singer Peter. Parental Choice and Human Improvement. In: Julian Savulescu, Nick Bostrom (eds). Human Enhancement. Oxford University Press, New York, 2010: 277-291.
Wilkinson Stephen. Choosing Tomorrow's Children: The Ethics of Selective Reproduction. Oxford University Press, NewYork, 2010.