Genetic Enhancement and Moral Attitudes Toward the Given

Author: MCCONNELL, TERRANCE

Source: Journal of Applied Philosophy, Volume 28, Number 4, 1 November 2011 , pp. 369-380(12)

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Abstract:

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Several authors, including Michael Sandel, distinguish between two different attitudes toward nature: mastery and giftedness. Giftedness is the superior attitude, Sandel argues, because it better accords with the values of humility, responsibility, and solidarity. And giftedness, in combination with these values, provides a rational basis for opposing the employment of genetic enhancement. Against this, I argue that talents and genetic endowment are more plausibly viewed as undeserved, that not everything undeserved is a gift, and that even if talents and endowment were gifts, this would not support a prohibition against pursuing genetic enhancement.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-5930.2011.00545.x

Affiliations: 1: Terrance McConnell, Department of Philosophy, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170, USA.

Publication date: 2011-11-01