Philosophy

Jennifer Meshulam
Final/Phil 301
Dr Kassner

Ego vs. Ego

Buchanan’s philosophy is that to enhance means to make better. Sandel agrees but, when talking about the human race, to play with the genetic makeup could very well exterminate the human race all together. If nothing else it would make the experience of life boring. Both Philosophers have done their research on Genetic Enhancement. Buchanan talks of enhancing every aspect of human life from, mentally through physically to complete genetically created humans, where Sandel says this would be detrimental to the way of life as we know it. Buchanan’s genetic enhancement program would include, prevention of birth defects in unborn children, using genetics to mass produce smarter children, stronger adults, which we could progress to levels of intelligence and strength that would never be reached naturally. Buchanan believes that we should coin this opportunity or monopolize it so we can be the strongest of all humans on earth. Creating a monopoly on it would keep us safe from it falling into the wrong hands. Sandel disagrees where taking control of it would make us like God, that we should not play God when it come to human nature. He states and makes an excellent point that if we were to do this, there would be no winners or losers, that all would be genetically enhanced the same amount, physically, mentally, and intellectually. In the world of athletics it would no longer be about who is quicker, knows the plays better, or who can throw the best pass, because there would be no such thing as a better player or performer. There would be no such thing as falling short or the lack of ability to show domination over one another. Now, Sandel goes on to talk about intelligence as well. He describes the ability to boost or create ones level of intelligence as cheating life and the progress of living life. Meaning; that if everyone is equal of the intellectual level, there would no longer be an academic achievement scale, no one would be denied college on their inabilities nor would anyone need college, because we would have already been genetically created to the highest level of intelligence that one can reach. Boring, boring, boring……. There would be no need for learning as we would already have all the knowledge necessary to live. Losing sight of progress and personal achievements, valor or humility, all of these things are affected by our personal achievements or ability to compete. The only good thing is that there would be no need for scholars or professors.
Ultimately, Sandel was concerned how genetic engineering and enhancement would affect a person’s behavior or inability to act freely. It takes their accountability and personal responsibility from one’s decision making process. This, according to Sandel, would be the down fall of the human race. Effort and responsibility is a big part of humanity and with that being said, we would not need praise, goals or achievements, because we would be equal as an entire race. He talks about genetic enhancement medically, as far as engineering perfectly developed embryos, growing children who have no genetic defects would be considered an asset in this field, but he also makes the point that it would be the end of the medical field. The only field that would be needed would be that of the bioengineering department. As we would not have defects, illnesses, or fatal diseases there would no longer be the necessity for medical research, only the research to develop the next higher level of intelligent breed or race. There would be no losers or winners, first place, second place, we would be all equal. Is it not the differences; the diversity in physicality and intellectuality that makes us human? Some people have consciousness and some do not, some show regret while others do not. Would this be hell in a perfect world if there was no chance of diversity or selection?
Buchanan’s attitude or ideology is that of a kick ball game. When choosing teammates, there would not be someone left unchosen as we would all be equally good, equally agile, and equally talented. This is more like Hitler’s idea of the perfect Arian race. The problem with Buchanan’s idea is that without differences we would be bionic, engineered, and without flaw. We would either remain to exist forever or we would only biologically exist. People would cease to behave with empathy, compassion and love, because those things could be seen as flaws to some. Besides, who would be in charge of engineering the next generations? What if the process fell into the wrong hands, or started out in the right hands, but greed; being too much to bear, and someone sold it to the wrong person? We may end up with a race of strong, aggressive killers and an army who, without flaw, could dominate the world and those who do not want genetic enhancement could be murdered for their opposition to this idea. You may call this a slippery slope but I do not. History has shown what intelligence in the wrong hands can get us; slavery, The Holocaust, and cloning to name a few. Even as far back as Egypt, where the Romans and Greeks enslaved a certain race where people who read about this, believe it was because they were weak, that they were enslaved, but truthfully it was because they posed a threat. The belief that they may have risen up and bared arms against those that were in leadership and taken over is why the Jews were enslaved during the holocaust. It was not because Hitler hated them but because he feared them.
One thing that neither of them brought up or discussed was if we are all of equal intelligence and abilities, it would also be the end of economic classes. There would no longer be a need for high, lower or middle class, because everyone could fulfill the criteria for any and all jobs. Would there even be a pay scale and in what way would it be different? Would we still need money to live life at a certain level or would we all live the same way, drive the same type of cars, work at the same level of jobs, think the same, and eat the same? Where would the differences be that make the world go around?
Genetic Enhancement has no positive attributes other than, if used wisely, could help us in finding and creating cures and medicines to alleviate pain or destroy life threatening diseases. It could assist, if controlled, in the ability to help create new limbs for children born with defects; it also assists with the progress in the medical field with such things as reconstructive surgery, genetic mutated hearts and other cardiovascular issues. Cloning organs to enhance or extend one’s life is different than developing a race of perfection. Eventually one will die and make room for another to be born, without the natural progression of life and death; the world would become over populated and eventually would self-destruct and be destroyed. Genetic engineering and enhancement would be the step to a post-human world and those that would reside on earth would not be human but biologically engineered. Would we have personalities that distinguish us from one another anymore which set us apart from the animals? This is scary and very much playing God. I see where this could be good, but do the means justify the end? I say NO! We are supposed to be individuals; we are supposed to be different, with different problems, different struggles, which is what makes us human and humane. When we help one person or another; with one problem or another it gives us a sense of need or validity. Not, having to help anyone ever would be freeing but it would be too perfect for this imperfect human being.