Biotechnology, Human Nature, and Christian Ethics

Theologians, philosophers, and political theorists have proposed that biotechnology could have significant implications for human nature, and Gerald McKenny examines these arguments in his book. He argues that Christian ethics is committed to the claim that human nature has normative status in relation to biotechnology, and develops and evaluates three versions of this claim.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 235 pages
Publication date: 12 August 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Theologians, philosophers, and political theorists have engaged in lively public debates regarding the potential implications of biotechnology for human nature. They contend that ethical assessments of biotechnologies that could alter human nature must carefully consider these implications. In his comprehensive book, Gerald McKenny delves into these crucial yet contentious arguments, which have faced criticism from numerous moral philosophers and professional bioethicists. McKenny argues that Christian ethics, in principle, upholds a version of the claim that human nature holds normative status in relation to biotechnology. He demonstrates how both criticisms and defenses of this claim have often been simplistic, presenting and critically evaluating three distinct versions of the claim while also introducing a fourth, distinctly Christian perspective to the ongoing debate. By engaging in a dialogue with secular ethics, McKenny's book emerges as the first thorough analysis of a highly controversial contemporary issue.

Theologians, philosophers, and political theorists have actively engaged in public debates surrounding the potential implications of biotechnology for human nature. They argue that ethical evaluations of biotechnologies that could alter human nature must meticulously consider these implications. In his comprehensive book, Gerald McKenny delves into these crucial yet contentious arguments, which have faced criticism from numerous moral philosophers and professional bioethicists. McKenny posits that Christian ethics, in principle, supports a version of the claim that human nature holds normative status in relation to biotechnology. He illustrates how both criticisms and defenses of this claim have often been simplistic, presenting and critically evaluating three distinct versions of the claim while also introducing a fourth, distinctly Christian perspective to the ongoing debate. By engaging in a dialogue with secular ethics, McKenny's book emerges as the first thorough analysis of a highly controversial contemporary issue.

Weight: 354g
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108435154