Abstract

While there is political support in many countries today for a ban on human genetic enhancement, such bans face political resistance from biotech firms, physicians, patients, and parents. Once proven safe and effective, asserting a right to genetic enhancement in adults is a natural result of widely accepted liberal democratic promises of bodily autonomy. Parents will contend that choosing genetic enhancement for children is a parental prerogative or obligation and an extension of their bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom. Genetic enhancement of the brain, or embryos or adults in heritable ways, will be far more controversial and require a high regulatory burden.