Behavioral Genetics and Equality
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- Harvard Medical School
- Document Type:
- Presentation
- Date:
- Received 26 November 2008 18:45 UTC; Posted 03 December 2008
- Subjects:
- Genetics & Genomics
- Abstract:
I will explore the implications of findings in behavioral genetics for two conceptions of equality: equality of opportunity and the equal moral worth of persons. New findings in behavioral genetics showing that behavioral traits, and the variance in behavioral traits, have some genetic underpinnings would not seem in themselves to threaten either of these notions of equality—we have long known that there is significant variation in these traits across persons and have assumed that some significant portion of that variation has genetic sources. I believe it is the uncertain and probably distant prospect of genetic interventions to enhance some behavioral traits, which could greatly increase the range and inequality of those traits in humans, that may seem to threaten these two notions of equality. I will argue that significant capacities to enhance behavioral traits could indeed threaten and erode equality of opportunity, but that it should not undermine the equal moral worth of persons.
To watch my presentation, please see the Google Video posting.
- Collection:
- Stanford University: CIRGE Symposium June 6, 2006
- Presented at:
- CIRGE Symposium: Interpreting Complexity, 06 June 2006
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Additional information
- License:
- This document is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License
- How to cite this document:
-
Brock, Dan. Behavioral Genetics and Equality . Available from Nature Precedings <http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/npre.2008.2566.1> (2008)
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