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Genetically Based Handicap
Author(s) -
Holland Alan
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of applied philosophy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.339
H-Index - 30
eISSN - 1468-5930
pISSN - 0264-3758
DOI - 10.1111/1468-5930.00080
Subject(s) - argument (complex analysis) , harm , harm principle , epistemology , differential (mechanical device) , position (finance) , sociology , psychology , social psychology , philosophy , biology , economics , finance , engineering , aerospace engineering , biochemistry
It is unclear what we should make of a policy designed to ‘eradicate’ genetically based handicap, and in particular whether it constitutes discrimination against people with a genetic handicap. After brief reference to the legal position, four arguments are examined which purport to justify differential treatment of handicapped lives either before conception or before birth: the argument from genetic ‘error’, the argument from parental responsibility, the argument from social consequences and the argument from impersonal harm. Weaknesses are detected in each of these arguments, and the conclusion is drawn that, although differential treatment of handicapped lives is sometimes justified, there are some circumstances in which it does amount to discrimination.