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The best possible child.

Michael Parker¹

¹The Ethox Centre, Department of Public Health, University of Oxford, Oxford OX2 6HE, UK. michael.parker@ethox.ox.ac.uk

Journal of Medical Ethics

|May 2, 2007

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This paper rejects the principle of procreative beneficence, which suggests a duty to have the child with the best life prospects. It argues that parental obligations to future children are not best defined by this principle.

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Area of Science:

Bioethics
Reproductive Ethics
Philosophy of Medicine

Background:

Julian Savulescu proposed two principles of reproductive ethics: reproductive autonomy and procreative beneficence.
Procreative beneficence implies a duty to select the child with the best opportunity for the best life from all possible children.
This principle has significant implications for reproductive choices, prenatal testing, disability avoidance, and genetic enhancement.

Discussion:

This paper critically examines Savulescu's principle of procreative beneficence.
It argues against the conceptualization of parental obligations as a duty to maximize a child's life opportunities.
The paper explores the ethical challenges posed by reproductive technologies and enhancement.

Key Insights:

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The principle of procreative beneficence, as defined by Savulescu, should be rejected.

Potential parents have significant obligations towards their future children's well-being.

These obligations are not adequately captured by a duty to have the child with the best life prospects.

Outlook:

Revisiting the ethical framework for reproductive decision-making.
Exploring alternative models for understanding parental obligations in reproductive ethics.
Considering the societal impact of reproductive technologies and genetic interventions.