Influencing Traits Before Birth

In this text the author presents a moral critique of the laws governing the creation of "designer babies." Alan Gewirth's Principle of Generic Consistency is used as the starting point for developing a framework, which is then used to critique the legal position in the EU countries (with particular reference to the UK), Canada and the USA.

The conclusion the author reaches is that a proper moral response to the issues covered must take account of specified prima facie presumptions, to be applied by legitimately appointed regulatory bodies.

The text assesses the adequacy of existing regulatory responses by reference to these presumptions.

Also containing detailed appendices summarizing the legal position with regard to abortion and prenatal diagnosis, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, in vitro embryo research, cloning, and germ-line gene therapy in the countries mentioned above, this volume is an indispensable resource for both students and scholars with a keen interest in this highly contested field.