Christianity and the New Eugenics: Should We Choose To Have Only Healthy Or Enhanced Children?

The ability to choose a future child's health, athletic ability, or intelligence through science raises concerns about selective eugenics and the need for a Christian perspective to evaluate these practices. Calum MacKellar's book provides an accessible analysis of the science, history, and Christian theology of human reproduction.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 21 May 2020
Publisher: Inter-Varsity Press

The potential of science to enable us to choose a future child with predetermined health, athletic ability, or intelligence is a topic of growing concern. With advancements in human reproduction, such as genome editing, heritable genetic modifications are becoming more feasible. While these procedures offer the promise of eliminating genetic disorders and improving certain traits, they also raise ethical questions and concerns.

One concern is the potential for "sanitized selective eugenics," where certain traits are sought after while others are discouraged or eliminated. This approach has historical roots in eugenic programs that aimed to improve the genetic quality of the population by promoting the breeding of individuals with desirable traits. However, these programs were widely criticized for their unethical practices, including forced sterilization, discrimination, and eugenics-based violence.

Another concern is the potential for genetic discrimination and inequality. If certain traits are deemed desirable and accessible only to those who can afford genetic modification, it could create a divide between those who have access to these technologies and those who do not. This could exacerbate existing social inequalities and lead to further marginalization of certain groups.

A Christian perspective based on Scripture provides valuable resources for evaluating current and future selection practices. The Bible emphasizes the value of all human life, created in the image of God, and calls us to love and care for one another. This perspective encourages us to consider the ethical implications of genetic modification and to seek ways to promote health, well-being, and equality for all individuals, regardless of their genetic makeup.

Calum MacKellar's book, "The Ethics of Human Reproduction: A Christian Perspective," offers an accessible and interdisciplinary analysis of the new scientific developments in human reproduction. Drawing on science, history, and Christian theology, MacKellar provides a comprehensive evaluation of the ethical concerns and challenges associated with these procedures. The book will enable readers to become fully informed about the potential benefits and risks of genetic modification and to engage in informed discussions about the future of human reproduction.

In conclusion, the potential of science to enable us to choose a future child with predetermined health, athletic ability, or intelligence raises important ethical questions and concerns. A Christian perspective based on Scripture provides valuable resources for evaluating these practices and promoting health, well-being, and equality for all individuals. It is essential to approach these developments with caution, transparency, and a commitment to ethical principles that respect the dignity and value of every human life.

Weight: 296g
Dimension: 140 x 216 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781783599134