Genetic Engineering and The Non-Identity Problem

Main Article Content

Tomasz Żuradzki

Abstract

In my essay I consider the imaginary case of a future mother who refuses to undergo genetic alteration on her germline although she knows that her, as yet unconceived, child will have a serious genetic disorder. I analyze the good and bad points of two branches of arguments directed against her decision, consequentialist and rights-based. Then I discuss whether accepting one line of these arguments or the other makes a difference in moral assessment. I conclude that, although from the preanalytical perspective we strongly oppose the refusal of genetic treatment in my imaginary case, it is probably impossible to construct one coherent theory which embraces all possible moral dilemmas triggered by our actions which affect the number and the identity of future people.

Article Details

How to Cite
“Genetic Engineering and The Non-Identity Problem”. 2013. Diametros, no. 16 (November): 63-79. https://doi.org/10.13153/diam.16.2008.301.
Section
Articles
Author Biography

Tomasz Żuradzki

Tomasz Żuradzki - absolwent Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego i London School of Economics, przygotowuje rozprawę doktorską z filozofii.

How to Cite

“Genetic Engineering and The Non-Identity Problem”. 2013. Diametros, no. 16 (November): 63-79. https://doi.org/10.13153/diam.16.2008.301.
Share |

References

Benatar [1997] – D. Benatar, Why it is Better Never to Come into Existence, „American Philosophical Quarterly” 34 (1997): 345-55.

Ishiguro [2005] – K. Ishiguro, Never Let Me Go, Faber and Faber, London 2005.

Hanser [1990] – M. Hanser, Harming Future People, „Philosophy and Public Affairs” 19/1 (1990): 47-70.

Hare [2007] – C. Hare, Voices from Another World: Must we Respect the Interests of People Who Do Not, and Will Never, Exist?, „Ethics” 117 (2007): 498-523.

Harman [2004] – E. Harman, Can We Harm and Benefit in Creating?, „Philosophical Perspectives” 18 (2004): 89–113.

Kripke [1980] – S. Kripke, Naming and Necessity, Blackwell, Oxford 1980.

Kumar [2003] – R. Kumar, Who Can Be Wronged?, „Philosophy & Public Affairs” 31/2 (2003): 99-118.

Parfit [1986] – D. Parfit, Comments, „Ethics” 96/4 (1986): 832-872.

Parfit [1987] – D. Parfit, Reasons and Persons, Oxford University Press, Oxford 1987.

Reiman [2007] – J. Reiman, Being Fair to Future People: The Non-Identity Problem in the Original Position, „Philosophy & Public Affairs” 35/1 (2007).

Roberts [2002] – M. A. Roberts, A New Way of Doing the Best That We Can: Person-Based Consequentialism and the Equality Problem, „Ethics” 112 (2002): 315-350.

Savulescu [2001] – J. Savulescu, Procreative Beneficence: Why We Should Select The Best Children, „Bioethics” 15 (2001).

Shiffrin [1999] – S. V. Shiffrin, Wrongful Life, Procreative Responsibility, and the Significance of Harm, „Legal Theory” 5/2 (1999): 117-148.

Woodward [1986] – J. Woodward, The Non-Identity Problem, „Ethics” 96/4 (1986): 804-831.

Woodward [1987] – J. Woodward, Reply to Parfit, „Ethics” 97/4 (1987): 800-816.

Most read articles by the same author(s)

<< < 1 2