Term Paper on "Ethical Eugenics"

Term Paper 5 pages (1708 words) Sources: 1+

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Ethical Eugenics

Unethical: PGD

There have been several recent headlines about eugenics and the use of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). PGD is a method by which scientists can analyze the particular chromosomes and genes within an embryo, and see what sort of characteristics, tendencies, and conditions it will have. The idea is that this method can prevent "103 different inherited genetic disorders and chromosomal abnormalities" (Appel 7) it will be possible in the very near future for people to select exactly what sort of characteristic they will want for their children, picking and choosing certain aspects such as hair color as well as more revealing personality traits like friendliness or tendencies to get mad. This research was initially designed to help women get pregnant via in vitro fertilization. However, in more recent years scientists came up with the process for PGD, which was initially encouraged as a way of avoiding specific medical conditions such as likelihood towards down syndrome or turrets syndrome, which most people view as unfavorable. The true controversy regarding this phenomenon is the fact that, as scientist Jeffrey Steinberg stated, "there are no rules" (Abraham) regarding how much mankind should do to govern the future of others. The lack of boundaries regarding the ethics of this issue is just one of the many reasons why PGD should not be used towards a modern ethical eugenics.

The lack of boundaries regarding the ethics of this issue is fairly important to preventing further use of PGD. In fact, the very history of this science or the ability to determine the future look and tendencies of people is extremely sickening. Adolph Hitler, who is responsible for one of the most publicized tragedies in the world in the Holocaust which occurred in World War II, was obsessed with the creation of a master race, in which only blond haired, blue eyed people existed as a master race. In addition to conducting scientific tests for this fact, Hitler went out of his way to exterminate those who did not fit this description, which is remembered as the "inglorious climax" of the "20th-century eugenics movement" (Savulescu). Rightfully so, people have been hesitant to fully explore this field until the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st. The lesson learned from Hitler's representation of the 20th century eugenics movement is a valuable one that directly relates to PGD -- the boundaries for what is ethical and unethical are not always clear, particularly for those who are actually involved in this sort of "research," and the results can be potentially devastating.

In addition to the fact that there is truly no telling where the current attempts at PGD and the more modern eugenics movement may end up, there is always the notion that regardless of what sort of genetic information scientists gain about an embryo or a future person, there may not actually be a problem. Some of the people who are most at risk for certain genetic conditions such as alcoholism, for instance, make a point to put themselves in situations in which they do not fall victim to such a condition. The bottom line is that PGD can only reveal the potential for a certain condition or trait within a person -- it cannot guarantee that such a person will be troubled by whatever genetic information he or she has the tendency towards. Therefore, it is quite possible that those who wish to terminate such embryos due to what is only a chance that some adverse condition will develop, could actually terminate a life in which such a condition would not have ever been manifest. Abraham alludes to this fact in the following passage, in which she discusses the notion that certain genes screened in PGD are indicative of conditions of which are "less dramatic and less certain -- "unlikely to strike until adulthood if they strike at all" (Abraham). The fact that certain conditions can be dealt with, treated, or may not even take root within an individual leaves a remarkable amount of doubt -- and is a principle reason why lives should not be ended before they begin due to PGD and the eugenics.

A simple examination of history, both of ancient and of today's contemporary era, reveals that people who have genetic propensities for negative conditions can make a number of significant contributions to society. Many people with inherent differences in their nature, such as learning differences, compensate for these facts with a sense of creativity that allows them to make up for what some people would label a lack of normalcy. People with genetic disorders, or even genetic traits that many in today's society consider undesirable, have achieved remarkable accomplishments and shaped the very nature of the societies they lived in, which in turn influenced ours today. Yet if contemporary and future practices associated with PGD took place, these people would not have been able to make these accomplishments, a fact implied by the following quotation.

Beethoven might never have been born considering his deafness. If Lincoln was bi-polar or had the genetic condition known as Marfan's syndrome, as some have speculated, he might well have been "selected out"…Similarly, Mother Teresa might have never been born had her parents known she would be diminutive and plain (Smith).

All of these people, and the wonderful music produced by Beethoven, the sense of right and liberation of the slaves accredited to Lincoln, and the good deeds of Mother Teresa testify to the fact that the PGD should not be used to constitute a new ethical eugenics.

Another bit of convincing evidence for this fact comes from the film Gattaca. In the DVD version, the producers of the film discuss the fact that in the original ending of the film, the credits closed out showing a list of famous people with genetic disorders or discrepancies who made sizeable contributions to history and society at large. Yet the plot of the film offers even more convincing evidence for this fact. The basic premise is that the movie takes place in the near future in which in vitro fertilization is the norm, people's genes are analyzed at birth, and their stations, occupations, and place in life is determined by these factors. There are still some live births, but these people are regulated to mere supporting roles for the principle leaders of society, the in vitro fertilization births. Yet one of the live births, Vincent, is able to defy the conventions of his secondary status in a number of ways. First, despite the supposed perfection of his in vitro born brother, Vincent is able to outswim him. More importantly, Vincent is able to train and fulfill the criteria for an astronaut position -- something that someone of an inferior genetic birth should never be able to do -- through sheer will and alone. He eventually leaves earth a an astronaut (Gattaca), thereby demonstrating the notion that regardless of what people's genes indicate, life is for the living and people' limitations and strengths cannot be dictated by scientists. It is due to this reason that PGD should not form the basis for abortions.

There are also moral issues linked to this issue that, when given consideration, also reinforce the fact that PGD and eugenics should not dictate which embryos live and die, and how they are to be formed. Many consider it a moral responsibility of members of society to create the best sort of population possible through utilizing PGD to cancel out as many negative facets of genes as possible, and thereby enhance the potential of the people who live. Yet there is another moral aspect of this situation, one which revolves more closely to the feelings of self-worth of those born of such embryos and which affects their relationship with their parents. The following quotation underscores this point. "…selecting the 'best' among multiple embryos sets up a new relationship between parents and offspring…such children are likely to feel that the essence of themselves, in an important sense no longer belongs to them, since it has been overseen by their parents"(King). This quotation brings forth the true moral issue -- and problem -- with PGD selection and creation of human beings. It creates a god-complex within parents, and allows man unrestricted license to attempt that which human beings have been striving to achieve since time eternal -- to play God. There is only one being, one divinity, that is supposed to have unrestrained access to the determination of factors that compromise the nature of a human being in a genetic sense, and that is God. This fact is also alluded to in King's article, based on his description of PGD as "the all-seeing eye of genetic technology. The true all seeing eye is that of God. Yet men utilize the all-seeing eye as a symbol of their triumph over God, which is in fact devilish and a symbol of the devil himself.

PGD should not be employed to bring… READ MORE

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