Behavioural Genetics: Why Eugenic Selection is Preferable to Enhancement

• Published in: Journal of applied philosophy Vol. 23; no. 2; pp. 157 - 171
• Main Authors: SAVULESCU, JULIAN, HEMSLEY, MELANIE, NEWSON, AINSLEY, FODDY, BENNETT
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.05.2006; Blackwell Publishing; Blackwell
• Subjects: Antisocial Personality Disorder - genetics; Behavior; Behavioral genetics; Behavioral Research - ethics; Child; Children; Choice Behavior; Chromosomes, Human, X; Crime; Crime - prevention & control; Criminals; Embryo Transfer; Embryos; Ethical Analysis; Ethics; Eugenics; Eugenics - methods; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Genetic Determinism; Genetic engineering; Genetic Enhancement - ethics; Genetic mutation; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genetic Research - ethics; Genetic selection; Genetic Testing - ethics; Genetics; Genetics, Behavioral; Human genetics; Humans; Male; Medical genetics; Monoamine Oxidase - genetics; Parents; Paternalism - ethics; Philosophy; Preimplantation Diagnosis - ethics; Prejudice; Prenatal Diagnosis - ethics; Sex Preselection - ethics; Theory of values and moral philosophy; Theory of values and moral philosophy. Philosophy of action; Violence - prevention & control; Violent crimes; Wrongful Life; Criminal; Eugenics; Genetics; Behavior; Selection; Moral philosophy; Philosophical Approach; Analytical Approach; Genetics and Reproduction
• ISSN: 0264-3758; 1468-5930
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-5930.2006.00336.x

Criminal behaviour is but one behavioural tendency for which a genetic influence has been suggested. Whilst this research certainly raises difficult ethical questions and is subject to scientific criticism, one recent research project suggests that for some families, criminal tendency might be predicted by genetics. In this paper, supposing this research is valid, we consider whether intervening in the criminal tendency of future children is ethically justifiable. We argue that, if avoidance of harm is a paramount consideration, such an intervention is acceptable when genetic selection is employed instead of genetic enhancement. Moreover, other moral problems in avoiding having children with a tendency to criminal behaviour, such as the prospect of social discrimination, can also be overcome.