Introduction
Recently, the topic of biotechnological design of future children due to social modernization and scientific and technological progress has become more relevant. Nonetheless, such discoveries often raise many questions and doubts because interference in human nature can upset the balance and laws of the universe, undermine the value and recognition of human diversity, exacerbate social inequality, and automatically deprive children of their autonomy. The literature actively discusses the ethical aspects of developing “designer babies,” and Michael J. Sandel’s The Case Against Perfection is considered one of the most popular books on the topic. It is a significant work that deals with the ethical and moral problems and mistakes of pursuing perfection and an ideal beyond safety and justice.
Summary
The Case Against Perfection is a literary work by Michael J. Sandel that highlights the ethical and moral dilemmas of enhancing human nature through innovative technological solutions. Throughout the book, Sandel discusses essential issues related to justice, equity, equality, objectivity, human dignity, inclusiveness, and the remarkable differences among people. He claims that most people are primarily concerned with making themselves or their children “better off,” but find it challenging to articulate the morality behind such concerns (Ter Meulen, 2019, p. 2). Thus, the author raises questions about the ethical permissibility of human embryo genome editing experiments.
Sandel doubts whether such technologies can be made available to all or whether they will be a privilege for the rich. Ultimately, such interventions through genetic engineering can lead to social conflict by dividing individuals into “improved” and “unimproved” people. The procedures would, as a consequence, violate the principle of equal rights for all human beings and lead to potential discrimination against “natural persons.”
In addition, Sandel touches on a point such as making changes before birth, as this process limits a child’s right to self-determination and autonomy. The writer confidently defends his point of view with careful arguments and facts against human modifications and adjustments. He urges readers to respect each individual’s uniqueness, versatility, and natural imperfection as fundamental values of human essence.
Analysis
From the book’s context, one can conclude that it is essential to avoid interfering with humans’ essence and nature, as well as their inherent abilities and talents, from the outset. However, the answers to such ethical questions are found in vital moral landscape features, such as humility, responsibility, and solidarity. Modifying genetic vices can have many unpleasant consequences in terms of ethical and moral points.
On the one hand, parents can have hereditary diseases and are worried about their future children. By seeking the help of specialists, these parents can help their babies avoid serious illnesses. On the other hand, there may be cases when parents are perfectly healthy and want to enhance their future children’s abilities, making them much more intelligent, stronger, healthier, and more beautiful. However, it should be noted that both cases may be ethically problematic. At this point, humanity is limited in understanding how the modifications will affect a child’s life and how they will affect the next generations.
It must be remembered that parents cannot be blamed for specific qualities, and they cannot control all aspects of their children’s personality formation. Sandel says: “But we do not choose our children. Their qualities are unpredictable, and even the most conscientious parents cannot be held wholly responsible for the kind of child they have.” (Sandel, 2007, p. 45).
Parents can select only “good” and exclude “bad” qualities in genetic modifications. However, such selectivity may be almost the same as abortion. Moreover, there may be cases where parents decide to have a designer baby using stem cells that they use either for themselves or for sale. These parents extract the necessary cells after such a child is born and abandon their baby.
When parents begin creating a designer baby, they are forever changing the life and mentality of a living person without asking their permission to do so. They may make this decision even out of the best of intentions and heartfelt impulses, but ultimately, they are changing a person’s fate forever, leaving them no choice. To achieve these goals, a “modified child” is more likely to be used as an instrument or an object of scientific experiment, but will not be considered a human being.
The technology of genetic modification to create designer babies is still in the early stages of development, which means that it is still in the experimental stage and needs more time to progress. Furthermore, the method is not one hundred percent safe, and although designer babies are born to live happily, much work still needs to be done. Since the process is still in the experimental stage, scientists cannot yet say with certainty how a designer baby will affect their family tree in the future.
Conclusion
The Case Against Perfection sheds light on many ethical and moral questions about improving children through genetic engineering. The book analyzes the positive and negative aspects of manipulating human nature. Sandel encourages people to appeal not only to logic but also to compassion in a way that does not jeopardize the humanity of people and the health of the next generations. Some interventions in human nature can have adverse consequences ranging from discrimination against individuals to social inequality and injustice.
Reference List
Sandel, M.J. (2007) The case against perfection: Ethics in the age of genetic engineering. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press.
Ter Meulen, R. (2019) ‘Enhancement, hybris, and solidarity: A critical analysis of Sandel’s The Case Against Perfection’, Med Health Care Philos., 22(3), pp. 397-405. Web.