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Published on: September 7, 2013
Should We Genetically Select for the Beauty Norm of Fair Skin?
1Department of Philosophy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK. h.marway@bham.ac.uk.
Abstract:
Fair skin is often regarded as a beauty ideal in many parts of the world. Genetic selection for non-disease traits may allow reproducers to select fair skin for the purposes of beauty, and may be justified under various procreative principles. In this paper I assess the ethics of genetic selection for fair skin as a beauty feature. In particular, I explore the discriminatory aspects and demands of such selection. Using race and colour hierarchies that many would find objectionable, I argue that selection for beauty that is underpinned by such hierarchies is not a trivial selection. Given this, I claim that we should not make such selections.
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