Deafness, genetics and dysgenics

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2006

Authors

Rui Nunes (Author) FMUP

Journal

The Journal is awaiting validation by the Administrative Services.

Title: MEDICINE HEALTH CARE AND PHILOSOPHY

Vol. 9

Pages: 25-31

ISSN: 1386-7423

Indexing

Scopus - 8 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-007-FFR

DOI: 10.1007/s11019-005-2852-9

Abstract (EN): It has been argued by some authors that our reaction to deaf parents who choose deafness for their children ought to be compassion, not condemnation. Although I agree with the reasoning proposed I suggest that this practice could be regarded as unethical. In this article, I shall use the term "dysgenic" as a culturally imposed genetic selection not to achieve any improvement of the human person but to select genetic traits that are commonly accepted as a disabling condition by the majority of the social matrix; in short as a handicap. As in eugenics, dysgenics can be achieved in a positive and a negative way. Positive dysgenics intends to increase the overall number of people with a particular genetic trait. Marriage between deaf people or conceiving deaf children through reproductive technology are examples of positive dysgenics. Negative dysgenics can be obtained through careful prenatal or pre-implantation selection and abortion (or discarding) of normal embryos and foetuses. Only deaf children would be allowed to live. If dysgenics is seen as a programmed genetic intervention that undesirably shapes the human condition - like deliberately creating deaf or dwarf people - the professionals involved in reproductive technologies should answer the question if this should be an accepted ethical practice because the basic human right to an open future is violated. © Springer 2006.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific