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Ethical Issues Of Eugenics

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Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is a reproductive technology in which, embryos are genetically analysed, before either being implanted into the uterus or discarded. It is most commonly used to avoid genetic diseases. Many ethical issues have been raised due to the increasing use of this technology. Eugenics is the process of enhancing the gene pool, for the improvement of humanity. One objection to the use of PGD technology is that it is unethical as it will lead to negative outcomes associated with the past eugenic movement. Some claim that those with disabilities will face discrimination and that the use of this technology will increase inequality between the poor and rich. I will firstly explain the historical context of the eugenic …show more content…

Hitler’s racial hygiene program which involved the genocide of hundreds of thousands of people was motivated by the idea that it would improve the race (Wikler & Barondess, 2001). Also, many countries such as the United States and Australia had sterilisation programs enforced by the government preventing those deemed undesirable from reproducing. Many ethical issues are raised by eugenics but the actual goal which is to improve the human gene pool is not necessarily a problem of principles but instead the practices that took place. Historically many other atrocities such as the Tuskegee Syphilis experiment have been committed in the name of medical research. That does not lead to the argument that future medical research will be unethical. In fact, countless lives have been saved due to medical research. PGD technology involves altering the future gene pool. However, rigorous ethical safeguards such as those used in determining the ethics of medical research should be put into place. This will prevent the unethical outcomes from the past eugenic movement being …show more content…

Although the goal of improving the human gene pool is the same, the use of PGD is not aiming to reduce undesirable characteristics such as feeble mindedness or poverty in pursuit of a racial ideal. Instead, PGD technology aims to spare babies from being born that are going to have painful genetic disorders that will reduce their quality of life. Steinbeck (2002) uses Tay-Sachs disease as an example of a serious genetic disorder that can be prevented against by the use of PGD. It is a progressive painful disease usually resulting in death between the ages of 3 and 5. Singer (2009) argues that a line can not easily be drawn between selecting against disorders or for selecting positive characteristics. However, I disagree as using PGD technology to select for certain characteristics such as height or intelligence is certainly a very different moral argument than using the technology to prevent pain, suffering and death amongst young children. The slippery slope objection some have that PGD use will eventually lead to further unmedical genetic selection could be prevented by rigorous ethical

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