Ethics of Genetic Screening for Non-Medical Traits

Stance

Against permissibility (ethical and social risks outweigh parental preference).

• Jurisdiction focus: UK/ECHR, with US and international comparisons.
• Word budget target: 750.

Definitions

• Genetic screening: Pre-implantation or prenatal analysis of embryos/fetuses to select traits.
• Non-medical purposes: Traits unrelated to preventing disease — e.g., eye colour, height, hair texture, "intelligence markers."
• Ethical implications: Moral consequences for autonomy, justice, equality, and dignity.
• Child as product vs child as person: Core philosophical fault line.

Assumptions Under Challenge

1. That it is possible to identify and reliably predict non-medical traits via screening.
2. That parental autonomy extends to choosing superficial or enhancement-based traits.
3. That society can absorb this practice without undermining justice, equality, and human dignity.

Point 1 — Autonomy and Commodification