Professor Unna
PHIL 1105 AA
Homework due December 3 rd Jonathan Glover, "Decisions,” in What Sort of People Should There Be? Genetic Engineering, Brain Control and Their Impact on Our Future World (Penguin books 1987): 45−56: 1.What is Glover's text about and what is the thesis of his paper?
This section of his paper will explore whether or not genetic engineering is just, and “who decides” in terms of the values involved. He states on page 45 that there is not an overwhelming case against positive genetic engineering. 2. Glover asks: “If we can make positive changes at the environmental level, and negative changes at the genetic level, why should we not make positive changes at the genetic level? What makes this policy, but no the others, objectionably God-like?” (46) What is Glover’s answer? Do you agree? He makes the argument that genetic engineering is likely less reversible and more permanent than engineering in terms of the environment. I do agree with this statement because it seems there is more direct impact on the individual in the case of genetic engineering. 2.In a nutshell: what is the objection about that we should not be playing God?
He says it’s a protest against a particular group of people, it makes us less in control of our future. (?)
3.What are the reasons why a genetic supermarket subject to some central regulations may be preferable to purely central decisions regarding the engineering of human beings?
Many biologists get caught up in the idea of “design” and specifying the best types of persons
oInfluences individuals deciding what their children should be like
Without regulation, there may be an imbalance in the ratio of sexes
Leads to sometimes unwelcomed change (?)
Liao – Selecting Children
1.What does Liao mean by reproductive genetic engineering ?
“Selecting children” – or designing children based off of qualities the parent values in replacement of natural reproduction. 2.Briefly summarize the main arguments for and against the moral permissibility of reproductive selection. State the advantages and weaknesses of each of the positions.
He explores the idea in different views, but his main arguments are that…
Allows us to reduce disease and undesirable traits – helps children flourish
oThis POV has its strengths, but weak in terms of “why should we do this?” (Human flourishing view)
PHIL 1105 AA
Homework due December 3 rd Jonathan Glover, "Decisions,” in What Sort of People Should There Be? Genetic Engineering, Brain Control and Their Impact on Our Future World (Penguin books 1987): 45−56: 1.What is Glover's text about and what is the thesis of his paper?
This section of his paper will explore whether or not genetic engineering is just, and “who decides” in terms of the values involved. He states on page 45 that there is not an overwhelming case against positive genetic engineering. 2. Glover asks: “If we can make positive changes at the environmental level, and negative changes at the genetic level, why should we not make positive changes at the genetic level? What makes this policy, but no the others, objectionably God-like?” (46) What is Glover’s answer? Do you agree? He makes the argument that genetic engineering is likely less reversible and more permanent than engineering in terms of the environment. I do agree with this statement because it seems there is more direct impact on the individual in the case of genetic engineering. 2.In a nutshell: what is the objection about that we should not be playing God?
He says it’s a protest against a particular group of people, it makes us less in control of our future. (?)
3.What are the reasons why a genetic supermarket subject to some central regulations may be preferable to purely central decisions regarding the engineering of human beings?
Many biologists get caught up in the idea of “design” and specifying the best types of persons
oInfluences individuals deciding what their children should be like
Without regulation, there may be an imbalance in the ratio of sexes
Leads to sometimes unwelcomed change (?)
Liao – Selecting Children
1.What does Liao mean by reproductive genetic engineering ?
“Selecting children” – or designing children based off of qualities the parent values in replacement of natural reproduction. 2.Briefly summarize the main arguments for and against the moral permissibility of reproductive selection. State the advantages and weaknesses of each of the positions.
He explores the idea in different views, but his main arguments are that…
Allows us to reduce disease and undesirable traits – helps children flourish
oThis POV has its strengths, but weak in terms of “why should we do this?” (Human flourishing view)
