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J Med Ethics 1999;25:137-143 doi:10.1136/jme.25.2.137
  • Research Article

Does justice require genetic enhancements?

  1. N Holtug
  1. University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

      Abstract

      It is argued that justice in some cases provides a pro tanto reason genetically to enhance victims of the genetic lottery. Various arguments--both to the effect that justice provides no such reason and to the effect that while there may be such reasons, they are overridden by certain moral constraints--are considered and rejected. Finally, it is argued that justice provides stronger reasons to perform more traditional medical tasks (treatments), and that therefore genetic enhancements should not play an important role in a public health care system.

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