Prof. Julian Savulescu1,2
1Centre For Biomedical Ethics, Yong Loo Ling School Of Medicine, National University Of Singapore, , Singapore, 2Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, University of Oxford, ,
Biography:
Julian Savulescu is the Chen Su Lan Centennial Professor in Medical Ethics at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore. He is an award-winning ethicist and moral philosopher trained in neuroscience, medicine, and philosophy. He is also Uehiro Chair in Practical Ethics at University of Oxford.
Abstract:
It is commonly argued that gene editing is not medically necessary because genetic selection can promote the birth of a healthy child. I distinguish between person-affecting and impersonal reasons. I argue person-affecting reasons have priority over impersonal reasons. Gene editing involves person-affecting considerations, for a wide variety of cases. I argue that if the risks of gene editing are reasonable, gene editing should have priority over genetic selection. Indeed, if gene editing were expected to produce more benefit than harm, there would be the same moral obligation to employ gene editing as there is to employ conventional medical treatments, like antibiotics. I defend this thesis against the objection that gene editing is identity-altering, and so involves impersonal reasons and weaker moral considerations.