Causes for Concern

This second period of Eugenics has the potential to be far more harmful to mankind than the first. The following causes for concern follow the three stages mentioned earlier in the Return of Eugenics. Each general concern only becomes worse as another stage is entered.

Stage 1

Increased Difficulty in Predicting Side Effects

The greater the number of gene interactions involved, the greater the number of possible outcomes. Also, the higher the complexity level of these interactions, the higher the probablity of side effects resulting from a change in the process or any of the genes involved in that process. Thus not only would it be more difficult to predict all side effects, there would be a greater likelihood of them occurring.

However, as noted before,

“[The fact] that the multiple functions of genes and gene interactions are highly complex does not mean that all human genetic engineering will be on hold until we understand them. No technology ever develops in this fashion. New drugs are invented, tested, and approved for use all the time without the manufacturers knowing exactly how they produce their effects." (Fukuyama, )

Potentially Worse and More Complicated Negative Side Effects

Most drugs have side effects and are regulated as a result. However, most side effects remain unknown until the drug is actually tested in a large enough population. Some drugs have been recalled as a result of their side effects but only after a number of people were affected.

However, with genetic engineering especially, the stakes are simply higher. The genetic manipulation cannot be 'recalled' and may not be able to be treated since genes are more fundamental and their interactions are likely more complicated and less understood than conventional drugs.

This problem gets worse in the next stage.

Stage 2

The Blurry Line and Negative Externalities

Negative externalities are costs borne by third parties not involved in the transaction that gave rise to the cost. In the case of the family, parents who may even be seeking the best interest of their children may make genetic decisions for their children that may have several types of negative consequences. These negative externalities will be born primarily by the children and may have varying degrees of seriousness.

Given the afore-mentioned 'blurry line' these genetic decisions could start with small increases in memory capacity of the child (similar to Ritalin) but eventually lead to the addition of traits that may be simply be considered favorable in a particular culture at a particular point in time. Such things as ultrathin girls, pliable boys, or even red hair (as Fukuyama suggested) may change within the culture and from one generation to the next or may even be harmful to the child irrespective of generation or culture.

What makes such decisions particularly harmful is that a child can change his/her ideas or practices but it would be substantially more difficult for him/her to change his/her own genetic make-up or genotype. One can even imagine a situation in which a gene manipulation (though the term 'gene treatment' may be preferred) that results in an unforseen but significant harmful side effect. Let us say for instance that the side effect involves a painful disorder or a signficant succeptibility to a certain virulent disease. These conditions will be suffered by the child and all its descendants. Are they then to suffer and forego children of their own for what could have been a permanent superficial enhancement that their parents chose?

Some children do not even make it that far. In many Asian countries, female children are aborted

Stage 3

Humans? What humans?

If genetic engineering were to be legalized, who would have access to this technology?

Would there be a need for a genetic welfare democracy?

Would some kind of Superhuman class be inadvertently created by the market and the already-existing disparities in wage and wealth distributions along lines of race, class, or gender?

What happens when we continually treat human life in a utilitarian way?

When are Rights accorded to a human life? – Is this decision based on ability or superficial traits?

If we assert that the lack of these traits mean a lack of humanity or a lack of worth, what are we simultaneously asserting about people who currently live with disorders that lack these abilities or traits?

Eugenics | Eugenics and Family | People of Tomorrow | The Biotechnological Revolution | The Return of Eugenics | Causes for Concern | Conclusion - 1