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Egalitarianism and responsibility in the genetic future
1Centre for Human Bioethics, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia. Linda.Barclay@arts.monash.edu.au
The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy
|February 28, 2009
Summary
Egalitarians may overemphasize concerns about unequal access to genetic enhancement technologies. Many genetic differences are irrelevant to equality, and equal access might not benefit the genetically disadvantaged.
Area of Science:
- Bioethics
- Philosophy of Justice
Background:
- Discussions on genetic enhancement often focus on its potential negative impacts on equality.
- Egalitarian approaches to distributive justice are urged to address these concerns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the extent to which egalitarians should be concerned about unequal access to genetic enhancement therapies.
- To explore the implications of egalitarian justice for the future of genetic enhancement.
Main Methods:
- Philosophical argumentation and conceptual analysis.
- Critique of existing egalitarian perspectives on genetic enhancement.
Main Results:
- The concern over unequal access to genetic enhancement may be overstated.
- Many genetic differences, including those from enhancement, are irrelevant to egalitarian concerns.
- An egalitarian program for equal access might not benefit the genetically disadvantaged.
Conclusions:
- The true implications of egalitarian justice in the genetic future require deeper exploration.
- A nuanced approach is needed when considering equality and genetic enhancement.
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