HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Mohajer, M. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Mohajer, M.

Choosing Children: The Ethical Dilemmas of Genetic Intervention

Choosing Children is a beautifully written book by the philosopher, Jonathan Glover. It provides a very well balanced and colourful philosophical debate regarding the issues of genetic modification and the ultimate, and possibly inevitable, production of ‘designer babies’.

The first chapter discusses the moral dilemmas of disability and genetic choice and what constitutes medical disorder or disability. The definition of disability will depend on the requirements or ambition of the individual. These issues are illustrated by factual information about auditory and visual impairment. These touching accounts challenge traditional views and attitudes regarding the definition of disability and ask whether they are disabilities or merely differences. What may be perceived as a disability because of functional limitations may not be under different circumstances. Again, the author explains that we all have functional limitations in one area or another.

A critical question in the debate is whether genetic choice causes harm to the child. This is a concept that violates the sacred duty of parenthood. It is unlikely that genetic selection results in a child at risk of being harmed but, clearly, there are comparisons to be drawn between this and state eugenics.

The second chapter discusses the rights of parents in making that choice – a concept described as ‘reproductive autonomy’. Parents often choose when to have children and how many: if the technology is available, why not choose a child without disability? The author discusses the moral obligation to choose a child with the maximum potential for flourishing. Again, as we live in a society of procreative freedom, shouldn't the decision to produce children with more desirable characteristics be supported? However, desirable characteristics may also be genetically linked with other less desirable features. Aspects of human nature that we value could be threatened as a result of such choices.

The debate continues to explore the merits of prevention rather than treatment of a condition, with the inevitable issue of funding impacting on choice. ‘Free’ choice does not exist. The concept of the genetic supermarket is explored: there are obvious inequalities, in that choice will only be available to those who can afford it.

The author puts forward the argument that man is set apart from all other living things because of his ability to communicate and develop technologies to enhance life. Therefore, the argument of natural selection may not necessarily apply as it does to other animals. He concludes the idea with a cautionary quote from C S Lewis: ‘Man's final conquest has proved to be the abolition of Man.’

The author deals with this heart-searching area of science in a balanced way, leaving the reader to decide what is morally right – a true philosopher. As an obstetrician and a parent, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Michele Mohajer, FRCOG, Consultant in Feto-maternal Medicine¹

^1. Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK

Oxford University Press, 2006
ISBN 9780199290925
Hardcover, 128 pages, £9.99

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Mohajer, M. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Mohajer, M.