Abstract
Human preimplantation genetic screening and selection (PGSS) is a foreseeable near-future procreative technology that will soon enable prospective parents to obtain a complete genetic profile of a substantial number of in vitro-fertilized pre-embryos, based on which, selections can be made for implantation in utero. In this paper, the ethical considerations of PGSS are analyzed within the value framework of the open society, starting with the general considerations. The prospective parents' procreative autonomy is established as a general rule, and the objections that claim to be based on human dignity, naturalness, sentimental morality, and eugenics are indicated to be unfounded. Second, the genotype-specific ethical considerations of PGSS are analyzed according to a tripolar conceptual model, the poles being the interests of the prospective parents, the prospective child, and the community. It is argued that the interests of the child pole should always take precedence in the case of disease- and disability-related genotypes, while the interests of the community pole should dominate in the case of societal prejudice-related genotypes.
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