Genetic technologies such as pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, when coupled with reproductive technologies such as IVF, have given us the ability to test for a wide variety of diseases and traits within the human genome ranging from the presence of a disease causing gene to the ability to ascertain the sex of an embryo. The information provided through genetic testing, in itself, is neither good nor bad; however, it is the way we use this information that can be a source of moral contention. For instance, some argue that screening and selecting embryos for certain traits such as sex and eye color is wrong, while others, such as Laura Purdy, argue that it is wrong to bring children into existence knowing that they could suffer from a severe genetic disease such as Huntington’s.

Considering the range of views on this issue, along with the material covered in the book, first, read the following article: Genetic Screening to Enhance IQ by Julian Savulescu

http://theconversation.com/genetic-screening-to-enhance-iq-should-be-embraced-24741?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%2026%20March%202014&utm_content=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%2026%20March%202014%20CID_a8b47cd943e5e899eb4041f37a03d98%20%201.%20My%20question:%20Do%20you%20see%20a%20relevant%20ethical%20difference%20between%20genetic%20selection%20as%20done%20with%20PGD%20and%20genetic%20selection%20that%20takes%20place%20when%20a%20person%20chooses%20a%20partner%20with%20whom%20to%20mate?%20Keep%20in%20mind%20that%20people%20often%20select%20mates%20based%20on%20characteristics%20such%20as%20eye%20color,%20height,%20IQ,%20and%20even%20the%20absence%20of%20having%20a%20genetic%20disease.

LET ME KNOW IF YOU CANNOT OPEN THE LINK

Then, answer the following questions, and number your responses accordingly.

Do you agree with Savulescu that lower IQ leads to a poorer quality of life? Explain and justify your response with empirical data.
If you could enhance your child’s IQ through diet, special educational opportunities, and other non-medical interventions, would you do it? Why or why not?
Savulescu advocates for practices that would allow parents to screen potential embryos for IQ, and then select the embryos without low IQ, which might infer that we ought to select the embryo with the highest IQ. Do you agree with him? Explain and justify your position by appealing to any relevant ethical perspectives.
Do you see any relevant ethical difference between genetic selection as done with PGD and genetic selection that takes place when a person chooses a partner with whom to mate? Explain. Keep in mind that people often select mates, often subconsciously, based on characteristics such as eye color, height, IQ, and even the absence of having a genetic disease.