Genetic Ethics
This type of gene therapy alters only body cells and does not affect future generations.
What is somatic cell therapy?
This term literally means “good death.”
What is euthanasia?
A right requiring others not to interfere is this type of right.
What is a negative right?
The view that only humans have moral status.
What is anthropocentrism?
This ethical theory determines right and wrong based on maximizing overall happiness or well-being.
What is utilitarianism?
This controversial type of genetic intervention aims to improve traits beyond normal functioning
What is genetic enhancement?
When a doctor provides the means for a patient to end their own life, this practice occurs.
What is physician-assisted suicide (PAS)?
According to Rawls, people choose principles of justice from this hypothetical situation.
What is the veil of ignorance/original position?
A moral view holding that all animals—including humans—have moral status.
What is zoocentrism?
According to Kant, we must act only according to rules that we would want everyone to follow. This idea is called the ______.
What is the categorical imperative?
The ethical principle that supports a patient’s right to make decisions about their own genetic treatment.
What is the principle of autonomy?
Euthanasia done against a patient’s stated wishes is classified as this type.
What is involuntary euthanasia?
This libertarian philosopher argued that taxation is morally comparable to forced labor because it violates property rights.
Who is Robert Nozick?
This position claims that the moral status of all living things is equal.
What is a species egalitarian position?
This principle requires treating people as ends in themselves, never merely as means.
300: What is the principle of respect for persons?
These two forms of gene therapy differ because one affects only the individual while the other affects future offspring.
What are somatic therapy and germ-line therapy?
Withholding life-support is classified as this type of euthanasia.
What is passive euthanasia?
This term refers to praiseworthy actions that go beyond what is morally required.
What are supererogatory actions?
The view that ecosystems, not individuals, hold primary moral value.
What is ecological holism?
Using Kant’s theory, explain why involuntary euthanasia is morally impermissible.
Because it violates autonomy and treats a person merely as a means or object.
Reproductive cloning raises ethical objections from both Kantians and utilitarians. Name one concern each might raise.
Kantian: cloning treats a person as a means or undermines dignity.
• Utilitarian: cloning may cause harm, suffering, or societal inequality.
Give one utilitarian argument and one deontological argument in favor or against euthanasia.
Utilitarian: reduces suffering; or alternatively, risks harm through abuse.
• Deontological: respects autonomy; or alternatively, killing violates duty to respect
life.
Name Rawls’ two principles of justice.
Equal basic liberties.
2. Inequalities allowed only if (a) benefiting everyone and (b) attached to positions open to all.
Contrast ecological individualism and ecological holism using a real environmental policy example.
Individualism example: protect endangered wolves because individuals matter.
• Holism example: limit wolf population to protect ecosystem balance.
Using utilitarianism, explain how a government could justify providing universal access to gene therapy.
Universal access maximizes collective well-being, reduces disease burden, and benefits the greatest number.