"Creating Future People offers readers a fast-paced primer on how new genetic technologies will enable parents to influence the traits of their children, including their intelligence, moral capacities, physical appearances, and immune systems. It deftly explains the science of gene editing and embryo selection, and raises the central moral questions with colorful language and a brisk style. Jonathan Anomaly takes seriously the diversity of preferences parents have, and the limits policymakers face in regulating what could soon be a global market for reproductive technology. He argues that once embryo selection for complex traits happens it will change the moral landscape by altering the incentives available to parents. All of us will take an interest in the traits everyone else selects, and this will present coordination problems that previous writers on genetic enhancement have failed to consider. Anomaly navigates difficult ethical issues with vivid language and scientifically-informed speculation about how genetic engineering will transform humanity. Key Features: Offers clear explanations of scientific concepts Explores important moral questions without academic jargon Brings discoveries from different fields together to give us a sense of where humanity is headed"--
Author(s): Jonathon Anomaly
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2020
Cover
Half Title
Endorsement
Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of contents
List of Figures
Preface
Acknowledgments
1 Smart People / Cognitive Enhancement
Intelligence: What It Is and Why It Matters
Risks of Enhancing Intelligence
From General Intelligence to Specific Cognitive Traits
Trade-offs from the Standpoint of Each Parent
Trade-offs from the Standpoint of All Parents
Positional Goods and Social Benefits
Moral Standing and Moral Status
Notes
2 Good People / Moral Enhancement
The Bright Side of Oxytocin
The Dark Side of Oxytocin
Pathological Altruism
Does Moral Enhancement Undermine Freedom?
Biocultural Moral Enhancement
Notes
3 Pretty People / Aesthetic Enhancement
Origins of Beauty
From Cryptic Choice to Conscious Selection
Lookism and Unjust Discrimination
Inequalities and Arms Races
Notes
4 Healthy People / Immuno-enhancement
Optimizing Immuno-diversity
Predicting the Future
Directing the Future
Notes
5 Synthetic People / Creating Life from Scratch
Creating Future People
Reproductive Rights and Responsibilities
Demographic Worries
Why Have Children?
Should We Stay a Single Species?
Notes
Conclusion
Appendix A The Ultimatum Game
Appendix B The Prisoner’s Dilemma
Appendix C The Public Goods Game
References
Glossary
Index