Michael J. Sandel's The Case Against Perfection

Summary of The Case Against Perfection

In the essay “The Case Against Perfection” author Michael J. Sandel states that with the recent genetic breakthroughs our society is now faced with both a “promise and a predicament” (p.1.) This knowledge will know allow us to further treat and cure a wash of crippling diseases. Nevertheless, despite this miraculous breakthrough this discovery also open what seems to be a Pandora’s Box filled with concerns for moral prevalence, malpractice, and even perhaps the loss of free will to offspring. All of which leaves the users or perspective wielders of such power with a case of what Michael Sandel describes simply as a case of “moral vertigo” (p. 1.) Just like the original Pandora’s Box however, Sandel reveals
One of which he breaks down in his next section: memory. In this section Sandel points out that people not only desire better physical physique, but better mental capacity as well. Similarly to that of the tests done for the synthetic muscle gene tests for mental enhancement mainly were done on several mice in labs in which extra copies of the gene associated with memory were inserted into the brains of embryotic mice and studied over the course of their lives. During these tests the scientists not only found that it improved memory of the course of their peak years, but continued to function over the course of their elderly years and the improvements where even shown to be passed down to the next generation of mice. The applications for this genetic enhancement are numerous. This improvement could be used to treat diseases such as Alzheimer, or even help rid those who have passed their prime of everyday struggles caused by the slowing of the
This morality factor has led to many questions to arise such as: is this enhancement fair to those whom can’t afford it? Should we fight to make this enhancement available for all? Or are we simply trying to play God, and if so are we ready for such grand responsibility? Nevertheless, we are curious creatures and with the prospects of genetic engineering proving for many to countless to pass up entirely the research continues. Inevitably causing our society to sprint to catch up on our moral studies so that we can better understand were the scientist are intellectually. Until we reach this point however, we can only stand in awe as the possibilities of this vast new technology continue to frighten yet somehow at the same time astound