 © André François |
Why shouldn’t parents make the most of technology to create the “child of their dreams”, beaming with health and potential? Dangerous fantasy lurks in this sunny hope, warn voices from bioethical and scientific communities, feminists and disabled rights groups. Will genetics spawn new forms of eugenics? An emotionally charged word laden with historical connotations, eugenics defies easy definition. Yet the word’s very force demands reflection on the dark side of attempts to genetically “improve” the human species.
The articles in this section illustrate the ways in which societal pressures can exert a coercive force on reproductive decision-making. In the United States, for example, we see commercial interests driving parents’ conceptions of their children. Population pressures in China fire debate over a controversial law to limit the birth of handicapped people, while cultural discrimination against girls drives parents in India to extremes to produce sons.
The apprehensions surrounding human cloning are clearly seen in Dolly’s birthplace, the United Kingdom. Meanwhile the shadow of the past leads Germany to tread softly in the field of biotechnology. Finally, we take a broad look at the ethical issues raised by current disparities in international access to the fruits of genetic research.