1st Edition

The Ethics of Genetic Engineering

By Roberta M. Berry Copyright 2008
240 Pages
by Routledge

240 Pages
by Routledge

240 Pages
by Routledge

Human genetic engineering may soon be possible. The gathering debate about this prospect already threatens to become mired in irresolvable disagreement. After surveying the scientific and technological developments that have brought us to this pass, The Ethics of Genetic Engineering focuses on the ethical and policy debate, noting the deep divide that separates proponents and opponents. The... Read more

Preface

CHAPTER 1: GENETIC ENGINEERING: PAST AND PRESENT

AS PRELUDE TO THE FUTURE

CHAPTER 2: UTILITARIANISM AND ENGINEERING TO MAXIMIZE

WELFARE

CHAPTER 3: DEONTOLOGY: ENGINEERING AT THE EDGES OF

DISEASE, DISABILITY, DIFFERENCE, AND DEATH

CHAPTER 4: VIRTUE ETHICS AND ENGINEERING

FOR THE VIRTUES

CHAPTER 5: GENETIC ENGINEERING, FRACTIOUS PROBLEMS, AND

A NAVIGATIONAL APPROACH TO POLICYMAKING

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Biography

Roberta M. Berry is Associate Professor of Public Policy and Director of the Law, Science and Technology Program at Georgia Institute of Techology, USA.

'A lawyer and philosopher by training, Berry skillfully negotiates complicated and theoretically dense issues by bringing a broad range of political philosophers and ethicists into meaningful dialogue ... As the promise of this powerful technology becomes a reality, the questions Berry asks will become ever more important for us to contemplate. Her book offers an excellent resource for those interested in getting a head start.' – Erica K. Rangel (St. Louis University), The American Journal of Bioethics

'Roberta M. Berry has written a creative book on how ethics can inform individual decisions and social policy on human genetic engineering ... There are two qualities that distinguish this book from the pack. First, the author has a richer understanding of of ethical theory than most writing in the field of "genome ethics." She uses a broad tapestry of ethical theories as lenses for analyzing problems. And second, Berry applies a creative form of dialogue ... From a teaching standpoint, Berry's dialogues will be  useful in reaching students who may have difficulty in applying ethical theory to contemporary problems.' Sheldon Krimsky (Tufts University), Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews