Behavioural genetics: why eugenic selection is preferable to enhancement. Export

@article{citeulike:3786964, abstract = {Criminal behaviour is but one behavioural tendency for which a genetic influence has been suggested. Whilst this research certainly raises difficult ethical questions and is subject to scientific criticism, one recent research project suggests that for some families, criminal tendency might be predicted by genetics. In this paper, supposing this research is valid, we consider whether intervening in the criminal tendency of future children is ethically justifiable. We argue that, if avoidance of harm is a paramount consideration, such an intervention is acceptable when genetic selection is employed instead of genetic enhancement. Moreover, other moral problems in avoiding having children with a tendency to criminal behaviour, such as the prospect of social discrimination, can also be overcome.}, author = {Savulescu, J. and Hemsley, M. and Newson, A. and Foddy, B.}, citeulike-article-id = {3786964}, citeulike-linkout-0 = {http://view.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17036429}, citeulike-linkout-1 = {http://www.hubmed.org/display.cgi?uids=17036429}, issn = {0264-3758}, journal = {Journal of applied philosophy}, keywords = {criminality, eugenics, ngas}, number = {2}, pages = {157--171}, posted-at = {2008-12-13 19:53:54}, priority = {2}, title = {Behavioural genetics: why eugenic selection is preferable to enhancement.}, url = {http://view.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17036429}, volume = {23}, year = {2006} }

TY - JOUR ID - citeulike:3786964 L3 - citeulike-article-id:3786964 N2 - Criminal behaviour is but one behavioural tendency for which a genetic influence has been suggested. Whilst this research certainly raises difficult ethical questions and is subject to scientific criticism, one recent research project suggests that for some families, criminal tendency might be predicted by genetics. In this paper, supposing this research is valid, we consider whether intervening in the criminal tendency of future children is ethically justifiable. We argue that, if avoidance of harm is a paramount consideration, such an intervention is acceptable when genetic selection is employed instead of genetic enhancement. Moreover, other moral problems in avoiding having children with a tendency to criminal behaviour, such as the prospect of social discrimination, can also be overcome. IS - 2 JF - Journal of applied philosophy SN - 0264-3758 EP - 171 TI - Behavioural genetics: why eugenic selection is preferable to enhancement. VL - 23 SP - 157 KW - criminality KW - eugenics KW - ngas AU - Savulescu, J AU - Hemsley, M AU - Newson, A AU - Foddy, B PY - 2006/// UR - http://view.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17036429 ER -