Equal Opportunity and Genetic Intervention
- 1 January 1995
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Cambridge University Press (CUP) in Social Philosophy and Policy
- Vol. 12 (2) , 105-135
- https://doi.org/10.1017/s0265052500004696
Abstract
What does the prospect of being able to alter a human being's “natural assets” by genetic engineering imply for our understanding of the requirements of justice, and of equal opportunity in particular? Although their proponents are reluctant to admit it, some of the most prominent contemporary theories of justice yield a quite radical conclusion: If safe and effective intervention in the genetic “natural lottery” becomes feasible, there will be at least a strong prima facie case for doing so in the name of equality of opportunity (or of some other egalitarian principle of justice, such as the principle that persons are entitled to equal concern and respect), if this is the most effective way to meet the demands of justice.Keywords
This publication has 5 references indexed in Scilit:
- A defense of equal opportunity for welfarePhilosophical Studies, 1991
- On the Currency of Egalitarian JusticeEthics, 1989
- Justice and CharityEthics, 1987
- Equality of TalentEconomics and Philosophy, 1985
- A Theory of JusticePublished by Harvard University Press ,1971