Biologically Modified Justice

Theories of distributive justice tend to focus on the issue of what constitutes a fair division of 'external' goods and opportunities; things like wealth and income, opportunities for education and basic liberties and rights. However, rapid advances in the biomedical sciences have ushered in a new era, one where the 'genetic lottery of life' can be directly influenced by humans in ways that would have been considered science fiction only a few decades ago. How should theories of justice be modified to take seriously the prospect of new biotechnologies, especially given the health challenges posed by global aging? Colin Farrelly addresses a host of topics, ranging from gene therapy and preimplantation genetic diagnosis, to an 'anti-aging' intervention and the creation and evolution of patriarchy. This book aims to foster the interdisciplinary dialogue needed to ensure we think rationally and cogently about science and science policy in the twenty-first century.

Introduction; 1. The genetic revolution; Part I. The Duty to Aid in an Aging World: 2. Empirical ethics and Singer's principle of preventing bad occurrences; 3. The duty to extend the biological warranty period; 4. Equality and the duty to retard human aging; 5. Framing the inborn aging process and longevity science; Part II. Genetic Justice: 6. Science and justice; 7. Genetic justice and the limitations of formulating distributive 'ideals'; 8. Normative theorizing about genetics: a response to Loi; Part III. Patents, Reproductive Freedom and Patriarchy: 9. Gene patents and justice; 10. PGD and reproductive freedom; 11. Historical materialism and patriarchy; Conclusion.

Colin Farrelly is a Queen's National Scholar at Queen's University, Ontario. He has published articles in political science, philosophy, law, medicine and science, and his articles have appeared in journals as varied as the British Medical Journal, Political Studies, Biogerontology, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, Law and Philosophy and Rejuvenation Research. His other books include Justice, Democracy and Reasonable Agreement (2007), Virtue Jurisprudence (co-edited with Lawrence Solum, 2007) and An Introduction to Contemporary Political Theory (2003).