RETURN OF EUGENICS, THE

Author of the Father Brown mysteries and political essayist G K Chesterton perceptively said, 'We can be almost certain of being inequitable about the future, if we are wrongful about the past'. The American eugenics change is one of those historical periods which we can ill afford to repeat. however we are inching increasingly shut to doing so.

With the power of contemporary genetic technology a of recent origin eugenic enthusiasm has emerged. Our culture's emphasis upon the genetically 'fit' and our difficulty embracing those who are 'les fit' combustible matters this enthusiasm.

The quest for genetic enhancement of our offspring is the greatest in quantity virulent form of the of recent origin eugenics. James Hughes, one of the architects of so-called transhumanism, has argued: The right to a custom made child is only the natural extension of our generally received discourse of reproductive rights. I diocese no virtue in the part of chance in conception, and great virtue in expanding choice. If women are to be allowed the "reproductive right" or "choice" to select the father of their child, with his attendant characteristics, then they should be allowed the right to single out the characteristics from a catalog. It will be considered obsessive and unable to speak to give your kids solitary parental genes.'

Similarly, James Watson, who with Francis Crick discovered the doublehelical nature of the DNA ultimate particle told The Guardian in 2003 'If you really are stupid, I would call that a disease So I'd like to obtain rid of that ... It present the appearances unfair that some people don't achieve the same opportunity. Once you have a way in which you can improve our children, no single can stop it. It would be stupid not to use it because someone other will. Those parents who enhance their children, then their children are going to be the individuals who dominate the world'.

It may be unlikely in our age of reproductive freedom that the novel eugenics will be enforced from one side mandatory sterilization-as in the past. There are, however, other, more designing forms of coercion. Personal choice and consumerism are a great quantity [i]or[/i] amount of more likely to fuel eugenics today. individual day, when genetic tests are more widely available, it might smooth become illegal to bring a child into the world with a genetic disability.

Discrimination against somebodys because of their race, sex or disabilities is an ill-favored reality. Discrimination based on genetic identity is plane uglier. If we would secure a truly human future for ourselves and for our children we must value individuals for who they are, not for what they can do. The laudable goal of treating human disease and relieving human suffering must not be allowed to become a tool for exercising 'quality control' above our offspring. To do thus would be to use the serviceable gift of genetic knowledge for evil extremitys Only vigilance on the part of all of us can thwart a bleak genetic future.

Copyright Bioethics Pres Summer 2005

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