Political Science

Job Market Title

Genetic Inheritance in Life-Cycle Approaches to Democratic Justice

Abstract

Widespread condemnation following the birth of the first genetically-edited child in November 2018 demonstrates a continued reliance on the distinction between somatic and germ-line interventions in human embryos. These concerns over germ-line interventions, as well as certain worries about genetic prediction and the collection use of genetic information, reflect a general view that the genome is a morally special mode of inheritance. However, there are persuasive ethical and scientific arguments that this general view relies on a form of "genetic exceptionalism." A deflationary view of the risks and benefits of germ-line interventions follows from these skeptical criticisms. This paper argues that a deflationary view also points to a greater role for theories of social justice and justice between generations in the assessment of germ-line interventions. It proposes a general account of justice in the distribution of developmental risks and resources as part of a "life cycle approach" to democratic justice and several conditions for the use and implementation of germ-line interventions.