Is it ethical for parents to choose their baby’s traits? - Michael Vazquez and Raye Ploeger

Key Concepts:

• Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)
• Principle of Procreative Beneficence
• Bad-Difference View
• Mere-Difference View
• Deaf Culture
• Disability and societal prejudice
• Ethical considerations of genetic selection

I. Introduction: The Dilemma of Andre and Leslie

• Andre and Leslie, a deaf couple, are considering using PGD to ensure their child is also deaf.
• They believe they can provide better guidance to a child who shares their lived experience and is immersed in deaf culture.
• The core question: Is it ethical to select for deafness?

II. The Principle of Procreative Beneficence

• Introduced by philosopher Julian Savulescu.
• States that prospective parents should select traits that give their child the best chance at the best life.
• The challenge lies in defining "the best life."

III. Perspectives on Disability: Bad-Difference vs. Mere-Difference

• Bad-Difference View: The perception that disability inherently makes a life worse.
  • Commonly held by many hearing people regarding deafness.
  • Philosopher Elizabeth Barnes critiques this view.
• Mere-Difference View: Disability is neither inherently good nor bad; it's simply different.
  • Experiences differ (e.g., hearing music vs. experiencing vibrations).
  • Difficulties arise from societal barriers, not the disability itself.
  • Barnes argues that societal design, not the disability, is the primary source of challenges.
• Example: Deaf individuals experience music through vibrations, a different but equally valid experience compared to auditory perception.

IV. The Deaf Community and Cultural Considerations

• Andre and Leslie value their experiences and rituals within deaf culture.
• They want their child to be part of this community.
• They worry about supporting a child navigating a hearing-dominated culture.
• Philosopher Robert Sparrow suggests parents are better suited to raise children within their own culture.
• A child feeling understood and secure within their family unit is likely to have a better life.
• If this is true, the Principle of Procreative Beneficence might suggest deaf parents should have deaf children.

V. Ethical Concerns and Societal Prejudice

• Extending the Principle of Procreative Beneficence to its extreme raises concerns.
• Disability is one of many traits that can hinder a child's "best life" due to societal discrimination.
• It is wrong to prevent the birth of individuals based on existing prejudices against their gender, sexuality, or race.
• Bioethicist Adrienne Asch warns that this attitude implies the lives of people with disabilities are less worth living.
• The better approach is to dismantle prejudice and accessibility issues, not eliminate those who experience them.

VI. Navigating the Present Reality

• Intolerance cannot be eradicated overnight.
• Andre and Leslie face the dilemma of whether to select against deafness to protect their child from prejudice.
• Even with PGD, ensuring the "best life" is incredibly difficult.

VII. The Role of Acceptance in Parenting

• Genetic intervention might be misguided.
• If parenting is about acceptance rather than control, perhaps leaving things to chance is the best path.

VIII. Conclusion

• The decision to select for or against deafness is complex and fraught with ethical considerations.
• It highlights the tension between individual desires, societal prejudices, and the pursuit of a "better life."
• Ultimately, the video suggests that acceptance and addressing societal barriers may be more ethical and effective than genetic intervention.