New Paper Out!

The arrival of the “genomic era” amplifies both the significance and the complexity of advancing a theory of distributive justice in the 21st century. A real “veil of ignorance” concerning the details of the natural lottery of life is being lifted. And as this natural lottery becomes something we can directly influence, our understanding of the moral landscape must also evolve. For the past 20+ years I have been mulling over the question “How should we theorize about the demands of justice in the genomic era?” My latest reflections on this issue are now out in print in the interdisciplinary journal Politics and the Life Sciences, published by Cambridge University Press. The abstract:

The sequencing of the human genome and advances in gene therapy and genomic editing, coupled with embryo selection techniques and a potential gerontological intervention, are some examples of the rapid technological advances of the “genetic revolution.” This article addresses the methodological issue of how we should theorize about justice in the genomic era. Invoking the methodology of non-ideal theory, I argue that theorizing about justice in the genomic era entails theorizing about (1) the new inequalities that the genetic revolution could exacerbate (e.g., genetic discrimination, disability-related injustices, and gender inequality), and (2) those inequalities that the genetic revolution could help us mitigate (e.g., the risks of disease in early and late life). By doing so, normative theorists can ensure that we develop an account of justice that takes seriously not only individual rights, equality of opportunity, the cultural and sociopolitical aspects of disability, and equality between the sexes, but also the potential health benefits (to both individuals and populations) of attending to the evolutionary causes of morbidity and disability.

Cheers, 

Colin