Abstract

Throughout this work I judge the ethics of genetic cases in light of our considered moral judgments in analogous non-genetic cases. In Chapter One, I offer refutations of common objections raised against therapeutic genetic engineering. In Chapter Two, I argue that therapeutic engineering is morally permissible. In Chapter Three, I argue that therapeutic engineering can also be morally obligatory. In Chapter Four, I turn to the common objections made against enhancement genetic engineering, and offer refutations of them. In Chapter Five, I argue that enhancement engineering is morally permissible. In Chapter Six, I argue that genetic enhancement can also be morally obligatory. In Chapter Seven, I focus on the ethics surrounding the controversial genetic alteration of such traits as disability, race, sex, and sexual orientation. I argue that it is wrong to select for disability, but that it is permissible to select for race, sex, and sexual orientation