The Case Against Perfection By Michael J. Sandel - 1358 Words

Nowadays, people will claim that the world is on the verge of scientific revolution that leads to the most controversial idea; genetic engineering of humans. When science technology grows exponentially faster than moral understanding, therein lies the argument between these two aspects. One can argue that genetic engineering is some sort of vast achievement in technology especially in this modern era whereby people live in full of access. However, if we look closely at the impact of this technology towards human beings, genetic engineering has many flaws and ramifications that can be debated thoroughly. Arguments and points of view are explained by Michael J. Sandel, the author of â€Å"The Case Against Perfection† and Nicholas Agar, the author of â€Å"Liberal Eugenics†. In â€Å"The Case Against Perfection†, Sandel points out that parents could improve and choose their child’s muscle strength, growth-hormones, memory and sex. They can select traits for their children and design their own babies. Further, method of in vitro fertilization also make it possible to choose the sex of the child before being born and Sandel claims that it is a kind of sex discrimination. This will lead to a social distinction and creation of two different standards of human beings that Sandel distinguishes as â€Å"those with access to enhancement technologies, and those who must make do with their natural capacities†(Sandel 2009). On the other hand, Agar thinks that people should be free to use enhancementShow MoreRelatedGenetic Enhancement Should Be A Phenomenal Asset1137 Words   |  5 Pagesis oxymoronic. Perfection means, â€Å"the condition, state, or quality of being free or as free as possible from all flaws or defects† and human mean s â€Å"a bipedal primate with characteristics of people or human beings.† The latter has no exceptions to other flaws or defects outside of being bipedal with people characteristics. In using genetics to enhance what genes are allowed to be distributed presents in itself another problem that we will discuss later. Michael Sandel argued against genetic enhancementRead MoreThe Case Against Perfection by Michael Sandels935 Words   |  4 Pagessuch as the treatment and prevention of many debilitating diseases and extending human life expectancy well beyond its current limits, there are profound moral implications associated with the ability to manipulate our own nature. Michael Sandel’s â€Å"The Case Against Perfection† examines the ethical and moral issues associated with human enhancement while Nick Bostrom’s paper, â€Å"In Defense of Posthuman Dignity† compares the positions that transhumanists and bioconservatists take on the topic of human enhancementRead MoreThe Case Against Perfection by Michael Sandel983 Words   |  4 PagesMichael Sandel is a distinguished political philosopher and a professor at Harvard University. Sandel is best known for his best known for his critique of John Rawlss A Theory of Justice. While he is an acclaimed professor if governme nt, he has also delved deeply into the ethics of biotechnology. At Harvard, Sandel has taught a course called Ethics, Biotechnology, and the Future of Human Nature and from 2002 to 2005 he served on the President’s Council on Bioethics (Harvard University DepartmentRead MoreHuman Genetic Engineering Essay977 Words   |  4 Pageshis/her offspring. Michael J. Sandel, an American political philosopher, theorizes somatic engineering will target a patient’s muscle, mood, and memory (â€Å"The Case Against†). Polygenetic traits, such as intelligence and athleticism, rely on many genes, so they will take scientists numerous years to manipulate successfully. Currently scientists can only manipulate basic traits like hair and eye color. Preventing sickness is not wrong. The issue occurs when one tries to, as Sandel claims, â€Å"reach beyondRead MoreThe Morality Of Genetic Enhancement884 Words   |  4 Pagesmorality of genetic enhancement (GE) differs from person to person. The stance Michael J. Sandel’s takes is that eugenics and GE has no morality. He states in his work, â€Å"The case against Perfection†, that manipulating ones genes makes one less human; since, humans are not perfect which is what makes one human and by designing a perfect person one is taking away their humanity. He thinks eugenics are morally problematic in the cases of abortion; in which the mother would be free to determine if she wouldRead MoreGenetic Engineering : Medical Perfection Or Playing God1280 Words   |  6 Pagesgenes to create purposefully different versions of organisms—and, in some cases, entirely new living things†, duplication of genetic cells is known as human cloning. Development of genetic engineering biotechnologies undermines the natural autonomy of life. Does genetic engineering interfere with God’s natural order or a manipulation of God creation and the intended purpose of our lives? Genetic engineering goes against the theological belief of the authority of God and religion governance orderRead MoreEssay on Transhumanism: The Drive for Perfection2249 Words   |  9 Pagessocial situation (15). Later, the woman had the blush-inducing nerves cut. He argues that this modification greatly improved her well-being, and that it improved her well-being much more than the treatment of many diseases would have (15). Michael J. Sandel disagrees with this notion that health is an instrument. According to him, the notion forgets the difference between healing and enhancing (48). Supporting this, he asserts that health is not something that is to be maximized. Health is only