Biotechnology and the Integrity of Life

Genetic engineering is still considered morally wrong by a large proportion of the public. Yet many scientists are puzzled about the public concern over a technology that, in their view, promises great benefits to humans and does not seem to cause more harm to animals than other practices which are rarely questioned. In this book, Michael Hauskeller takes public fears seriously and offers the idea of 'biological integrity' as a clarifying principle which can then be analyzed to show that seemingly irrational public concerns about genetic engineering are not so irrational and that a philosophically sound justification of those concerns can indeed be given.

Zusatztext 'Helping to make sense of public concerns in policy areas is a highly worthwhile - and! perhaps! too seldom pursued - application of philosophical activity! for which reason alone! the project is commendable... a genuinely thought provoking read and very suitable for inclusion on lists of 'recommended reading' in the area.' Environmental Values Informationen zum Autor Michael Hauskeller is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Liverpool, UK. Michael is the author of Better Humans? Understanding the Enhancement Project (2013), Sex and the Posthuman Condition (2014), and Mythologies of Transhumanism (2016). Klappentext There are things that can be done and are done to life on earth (whether it be human, animal or plant life) which, even if they do not involve or produce any suffering, are still considered morally wrong by a large proportion of the public. Such things include changing the nature of living beings by means of genetic engineering in order to enhance their health, or, more likely with animals and plants, their utility, or impairing their ability to live autonomously, or unduly instrumentalizing them. Yet many scientists are puzzled about the unwillingness of the public to feel much enthusiasm about a technology that, in their view, promises great benefits to humans and does not seem to cause more harm to animals than other practices which most of us do not question at all. In this book Michael Hauskeller takes public fears seriously and offers the idea of 'biological integrity' as a clarifying principle which can then be analyzed to show that seemingly irrational public concerns about genetic engineering are not so irrational after all and that a philosophically sound justification of those concerns can indeed be given. Zusammenfassung There are things that can be done and are done to life on earth (whether it be human! animal or plant life) which! even if they do not involve or produce any suffering! are still considered morally wrong by a large proportion of the public. Such things include changing the nature of living beings by means of genetic engineering in order to enhance their health! or! more likely with animals and plants! their utility! or impairing their ability to live autonomously! or unduly instrumentalizing them. Yet many scientists are puzzled about the unwillingness of the public to feel much enthusiasm about a technology that! in their view! promises great benefits to humans and does not seem to cause more harm to animals than other practices which most of us do not question at all. In this book Michael Hauskeller takes public fears seriously and offers the idea of 'biological integrity' as a clarifying principle which can then be analyzed to show that seemingly irrational public concerns about genetic engineering are not so irrational after all and that a philosophically sound justification of those concerns can indeed be given. Inhaltsverzeichnis Acknowledgements, 1. Introduction, 2. Tampering with Nature, 3. Integrity and Dignity, 4. Types and Forms of Integrity, 5. Platonic Justice and Aristotelian Virtue, 6. Telos, 7. Integrity as Bonitas, 8. Faith and Morality, 9. Integrity and the Reification of Life, 10. Genetic Essentialism, 11. Moral and Aesthetic Concerns, 12. Moral Disgust, Bibliography, Index...

Autorentext

Michael Hauskeller is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Liverpool, UK. Michael is the author of Better Humans? Understanding the Enhancement Project (2013), Sex and the Posthuman Condition (2014), and Mythologies of Transhumanism (2016).

Klappentext

There are things that can be done and are done to life on earth (whether it be human, animal or plant life) which, even if they do not involve or produce any suffering, are still considered morally wrong by a large proportion of the public. Such things include changing the nature of living beings by means of genetic engineering in order to enhance their health, or, more likely with animals and plants, their utility, or impairing their ability to live autonomously, or unduly instrumentalizing them. Yet many scientists are puzzled about the unwillingness of the public to feel much enthusiasm about a technology that, in their view, promises great benefits to humans and does not seem to cause more harm to animals than other practices which most of us do not question at all. In this book Michael Hauskeller takes public fears seriously and offers the idea of 'biological integrity' as a clarifying principle which can then be analyzed to show that seemingly irrational public concerns about genetic engineering are not so irrational after all and that a philosophically sound justification of those concerns can indeed be given.

Inhalt

Acknowledgements, 1. Introduction, 2. Tampering with Nature, 3. Integrity and Dignity, 4. Types and Forms of Integrity, 5. Platonic Justice and Aristotelian Virtue, 6. Telos, 7. Integrity as Bonitas, 8. Faith and Morality, 9. Integrity and the Reification of Life, 10. Genetic Essentialism, 11. Moral and Aesthetic Concerns, 12. Moral Disgust, Bibliography, Index