Rationality and the Genetic Challenge
Making People Better?

Should we make people healthier, smarter, and longer-lived if genetic and medical advances enable us to do so? Matti Häyry asks this question in the context of genetic testing and selection, cloning and stem cell research, gene therapies and enhancements. The ethical questions explored include parental responsibility, the use of people as means, the role of hope and fear in risk assessment, and the dignity and meaning of life. Taking as a starting point the arguments presented by Jonathan Glover, John Harris, Ronald M. Green, Jürgen Habermas, Michael J. Sandel, and Leon R. Kass, who defend a particular normative view as the only rational or moral answer, Matti Häyry argues that many coherent rationalities and moralities exist in the field, and that to claim otherwise is mistaken.

Reviews & endorsements

"This book thoughtfully presents work by major authors along the entire ideological spectrum....The coherent analysis and fair presentation of each thinker's case for and against genetic procedures, testing, and research show how notions of God, community, agency, and the self lead thinkers to different positions on genetic procedures....This important guide to work on genetics and ethics would be a helpful addition to collections in both bioethics and philosophy."
--Choice

Customer reviews

Product details

• Date Published: April 2010
• format: Adobe eBook Reader

• isbn: 9780511717581
• availability: This ISBN is for an eBook version which is distributed on our behalf by a third party.