Abstract
This paper discusses the issue of whether we have responsibilities to future generations with respect to genetic screening, including for purposes of selective abortion or discard. Future generations have been discussed at length among scholars. The concept of ‘Guardianfor Future Generations’ is tackled and its main criticisms discussed. Whilst germ-line cures, it is argued, can only affect family trees, genetic screening and testing can have wider implications. If asking how this may affect future generations is a legitimate question and since we indeed make retrospective moral judgements, it would be wise to consider that future generations will make the same retrospective judgements on us. Moreover such technologies affect present embryos to which we indeed can be considered to have an obligation.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Agius, E.: 1990, ‘Towards a Relational Theory of Intergenerational Ethics’, in: S. Busuttil, E. Agius, P. Serracino Inglott and T. Macelli (eds.), Our Responsibilities to Future Generations. UNESCO and Foundation for International Studies, Malta: University of Malta, pp. 73-94.
Agius, E.: 1998, ‘Patenting Life: Our Responsibilities to Present and Future Generations’, in: E. Agius and S. Busuttil (eds.), Germ-line Intervention and Our Responsibilities to Future Generations. Dordrecht and New York: Kluwer Academic Publishers, pp. 67-83.
Capron, A.M.: 1990, ‘Which Ills to Bear?: Reevaluating the “Threat” of Modern Genetics’, reprinted in: L. Walters and T. Beauchamp (eds.), Contemporary Issues in Bioethics, Third Edition. London and New York: Wadsworth Publishing Company, pp. 678–682.
Engelhardt, H.T. and K.W. Wildes: 1994, ‘The Four Principles of Health Care Ethics and Post-Modernity: Why a Libertarian Interpretation is Unavoidable’, in: R. Gillon (ed.), Principles of Health Care Ethics. London: John Wiley & Sons, pp. 135-147.
Engelhardt, H.T.: 1998 ‘Human Nature Genetically Re-Engineered: Moral Responsibilities to Future Generations’, in: E. Agius and S. Busuttil (eds.), Germ-line Intervention and Our Responsibilities to Future Generations. Dordrecht and New York: Kluwer Academic Publishers, pp. 51-63.
Felice, A.: 1998, ‘Guardianship by Peer Review in Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology’, in: E. Agius and S. Busuttil (eds.), Germ-line Intervention and Our Responsibilities to Future Generations. Dordrecht and New York: Kluwer Academic Publishers, pp. 117-129.
Harper, P.S.: 1997, ‘China's Genetic Law’, in: P.S. Harper and A.J. Clarke (eds.), Genetics, Society and Clinical Practice. Oxford: Bios Scientific Publishers, pp. 237-246.
Heyd, D.: 1998, ‘Are We Our Descendant's Keepers?’, in: E. Agius and S. Busuttil (eds.), Germ-line Intervention and Our Responsibilities to Future Generations. Dordrecht and New York: Kluwer Academic Publishers, pp. 131-145.
Hoedemakers, R. and H. ten Have: 1998, ‘Geneticisation: The Cyprus Paradigm’, The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy, 23(3), 274-287.
Juengst, E.: 1998, ‘Should We Treat the Human Germ-line as a Global Human Resource?’, in: E. Agius and S. Busuttil (eds.), Germ-line Intervention and Our Responsibilities to Future Generations. Dordrecht and New York: Kluwer Academic Publishers, pp. 85-102.
Kitcher, P.: 1996, The Lives to Come. The Genetic Revolution and Human Possibilities. London, New York, Ontario: Penguin Books.
McGleenan, T.: 1998, ‘Genetic Technology, Legal Regulation of’, in: R. Chadwick (ed.), Encyclopedia of Applied Ethics. London: Academic Press (2), pp. 451-462.
McMahan, J.: 1995, ‘Future Generations’, in: T. Honderich (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Philosophy. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, p. 302.
Nelson, J.L.: 1997. ‘Everything Includes Itself in Power: Power and Coherence in Engelhardt’s Foundation of Bioethics', in: B.P. Minogue, G. Palmer-Fernandes and J.E. Reagan (eds.), Reading Engelhardt. Essays on the Thought of H. Tristram Engelhardt, Jr. Dordrecht, Boston, London: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Neri, D.: 1998, ‘Eugenics’, in: R. Chadwick (ed.), Encyclopedia of Applied Ethics. London: Academic Press (2), pp. 161-173.
Pardo, A.: 1975, Occasional Paper: ‘First Statement to the First Committee of the General Assembly, November 1, 1967’, The Common Heritage: Selected Papers on Ocean and World Order: 1967–1974. Malta: University of Malta Press, pp. 1-41.
Parfit, D.: 1982, ‘Future Generations: Further Problems’, Philosophy and Public Affairs 11(2), 113-172.
Parfit, D.: 1984, Reasons and Persons. London: Oxford University Press.
Rawls, J.: 1972, A Theory of Justice. Cambridge, MA: The Belknap Press of Harvard University.
Serracino Inglott, P.: 1990, ‘The Rights of Future Generations: Some Socio-Philosophical Considerations’, in: S. Busuttil, E. Agius, P. Serracino Inglott and T. Macelli (eds.), Our Responsibilities to Future Generations. Malta: UNESCO and Foundation for International Studies, University of Malta, pp. 17-26.
Spicker, S.: 1998, ‘The Unknowable Effects of Genetic Interventions on Future Generations (or, Who Guards the Genetic Engineers in Democratic Republics?)’, in: E. Agius and S. Busuttil (eds.), Germ-line Intervention and Our Responsibilities to Future Generations. Dordrecht and New York: Kluwer Academic Publishers, pp. 147-163.
Walter, L. and J. Gage Palmer: 1997, The Ethics of Human Gene Therapy. New York: Oxford University Press.
Wildes, K.: 1998, ‘Redesigning the Human Genome: Are there Constraints From Nature?’, in: E. Agius and S. Busuttil (eds.), Germ-line Intervention and Our Responsibilities to Future Generations. Dordrecht and New York: Kluwer Academic Publishers, pp. 35-49.
World Health Organization (WHO) (1983): ‘Community Control of Hereditary Anaemias: Memorandum from a WHO Meeting’, Bulletin of the World Health Organisation 61, 63-69.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mallia, P., Henk From what should we protect future generations: Germ-line therapy or genetic screening?. Med Health Care Philos 6, 17–24 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022588022876
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022588022876