Week 5, Sandel Flashcards
What is the Argument for Selection?
P1. Potential parents should select the potential child that is expected to have as good a life as possible.
P2. If potential parents should select the potential child that is expected to have as good a life as possible, then potential parents should utilize tests for non-disease genes.
C. Parents should utilize tests for non-disease genes.
According to Sandel, who are potential parents?
Parents considering having children.
What does ‘selection’ refer to in the context of Sandel’s argument?
Choosing sperm or egg on the basis of genetic information.
What does Sandel mean by the phrase, “as good a life as possible?”
As good as a life any other child they might have in these circumstances.
What are the two examples that seem to support the general principle of the first premise in the argument for selection?
If you had rubella, you could conceive your kids immediately and have a higher risk of their being deaf or blind, or, you could wait three months for the treatment and reduce the risk to the same level as any other child at risk for blindness or deafness.
If you had two potential children who would both have the same life possible, and the only difference was one of them was at a higher risk of having asthma than the other, then you should go with the kid who is at a lower risk for asthma.
What is a non-disease gene? What’s an example of a non-disease gene?
A gene that causes or predisposes to some psychological or physical state that is not itself a disease.
Ex. height, eye colour, IQ, extroversion/introversion, gender.
Why think non-disease traits should be considered?
The traits of a child must be determined to know the potential quality of life for that child.
What are some critiques against the argument for selection?
Opens up possibility of choosing children based on race, this could be problematic.
