Do We Have an Obligation to Make Smarter Babies?

In T. Takala, P. Herrisone-Kelly & S. Holm (eds.), Cutting Through the Surface. Philosophical Approaches to Bioethics. Rodopi (2009)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

In this paper I consider some issues concerning cognitive enhancements and the ethics of enhancing in reproduction and parenting. I argue that there are moral reasons to enhance the cognitive capacities of the children one has, or of the children one is going to have, and that these enhancements should not be seen as an alternative to pursuing important changes in society that might also improve one’s own and one’s children’s life. It has been argued that an emphasis on enhancing cognitive capacities might encourage the commodification of children. But this objection seems misplaced. The reasons why one decides to reproduce can be subject to moral approbation or condemnation, as such rea-sons might be indicators of the quality of one’s parenting and the happiness of the future persons one is committed to bringing to life. However, once the decision to reproduce is made, no further harm comes from taking as few risks as possible on behalf of the persons to whom one is giving life with their health, character and cognitive capacities.

Links

PhilArchive

External links

  • This entry has no external links. Add one.
Setup an account with your affiliations in order to access resources via your University's proxy server

Through your library

Similar books and articles

The modeler in the crib.Stuart S. Glennan - 2005 - Philosophical Explorations 8 (3):217-227.
Enhancement and the ethics of development.Allen Buchanan - 2008 - Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal 18 (1):pp. 1-34.
One danger of biomedical enhancements.Alex Rajczi - 2008 - Bioethics 22 (6):328–336.
Virtue Ethics and Prenatal Genetic Enhancement.Colin Farrelly - 2007 - Studies in Ethics, Law, and Technology 1 (1).

Analytics

Added to PP
2009-09-22

Downloads
1,190 (#9,202)

6 months
46 (#78,788)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?

Author's Profile

Lisa Bortolotti
University of Birmingham

Citations of this work

No citations found.

Add more citations

References found in this work

One principle and three fallacies of disability studies.J. Harris - 2001 - Journal of Medical Ethics 27 (6):383-387.
Learning to Make Music Enhances Spatial Reasoning.Lois Hetland - 2000 - The Journal of Aesthetic Education 34 (3/4):179.
What's wrong with enhancement.Michael Sandel - 2002 - President’s Council on Bioethics, Washington, Dc (Www. Bioethics. Gov) 12.

Add more references