Abstract

Liberal eugenics according to one version is distinguished from authoritarian eugenics on the basis that the choice of enhancement is devolved to parents. The argument for liberal eugenics combines a commitment to the right of parents to autonomy – in reproductive decisions and in the upbringing of children – and a parity claim that there is no morally significant difference between ante-natal and post-natal alterations of a child. The article reviews the putative constraints on parental choice, and assesses some criticisms of the parity claim. It concludes that a liberal commitment to social justice is in tension with a liberal commitment to parental choice, but judges that the former commitment does not entail the authoritarian eugenics which is represented as the alternative to liberal eugenics.

Recommended Citation

Archard, David (2007) "Genetic Enhancement and Procreative Autonomy," Studies in Ethics, Law, and Technology: Vol. 1 : Iss. 1, Article 9.
Available at: http://www.bepress.com/selt/vol1/iss1/art9