Biotechnology and the Integrity of Life: Taking Public Fears Seriously

by Michael Hauskeller, Ruth Chadwick, Michael Davis, David Lamb

Overview

Genetic engineering is still considered morally wrong by a large proportion of the public. Yet many scientists are puzzled about the public concern over a technology that, in their view, promises great benefits to humans and does not seem to cause more harm to animals than other practices which are rarely questioned. In this book, Michael Hauskeller takes public fears seriously and offers the idea of 'biological integrity' as a clarifying principle which can then be analyzed to show that seemingly irrational public concerns about genetic engineering are not so irrational and that a philosophically sound justification of those concerns can indeed be given.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781409485391
Publisher:	Ashgate Publishing Ltd
Publication date:	10/01/2012
Series:	Ashgate Studies in Applied Ethics
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	17 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Michael Hauskeller is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Philosopy, University of Exeter, UK.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements, 1. Introduction, 2. Tampering with Nature, 3. Integrity and Dignity, 4. Types and Forms of Integrity, 5. Platonic Justice and Aristotelian Virtue, 6. Telos, 7. Integrity as Bonitas, 8. Faith and Morality, 9. Integrity and the Reification of Life, 10. Genetic Essentialism, 11. Moral and Aesthetic Concerns, 12. Moral Disgust, Bibliography, Index

Editorial Reviews

’Helping to make sense of public concerns in policy areas is a highly worthwhile - and, perhaps, too seldom pursued - application of philosophical activity, for which reason alone, the project is commendable... a genuinely thought provoking read and very suitable for inclusion on lists of 'recommended reading' in the area.’ Environmental Values

From the Publisher