Consider the case of Iceland where prenatal genetic testing for Downs Syndrome is routine. The video notes that Iceland has nearly eliminated Downs Syndrome. This policy helps alleviate the tax burden of caring for disabled persons. (Rationing is essential in a single-payer system.) But when they say Iceland has nearly eliminated Downs Syndrome they are saying that fetuses with Downs Syndrome are routinely aborted. Assess Krass’s arguments for the claim that aborting defective fetuses is morally wrong. Purdy argues that if parents who are at risk of conceiving a defective fetus have a problem with abortion they should opt for pre-implantation screening and discard defective embryos. Critically evaluate Purdy’s argument. McMahan criticizes Kass’s view that disabled fetuses should be placed on par with healthy fetuses. His central argument is that if it is okay to select for health then it should also be okay to select for disability. Yet both McMahan and Davis argue it is wrong to select for disability. More generally, do you think social policies like those in place in Iceland are morally problematic? Defend your answer within the context of the assigned readings.

(Minimum Word Count: 500 Words)

DQ08: Prenatal Genetic Testing

[1] Do you have a general introductory paragraph with a thesis statement?

[2] Your thesis in this essay is whether parents should be permitted to utilize pre-natal genetic testing and about fetuses that test positive for Down Syndrome (and why you hold this position).

[3] Does each paragraph begin with a topic sentence?

[4] Do you explain Iceland’s policy of routine prenatal testing and the country’s recommendation that fetuses that test positive be aborted?

[5] Do you explain Kass’s arguments against aborting defective fetuses?

[6] Do you use expressions such as “According to Kass”?

[7] Do you explain Purdy’s argument for the claim that parents who are uncomfortable with aborting a defective fetus should opt for IVF with selective discard?

[8] Do you think Purdy is right that parents who knowingly possess a serious genetic defect are morally wrong to risk conceiving a fetus who will inherit this defect?

[9] Do you use expressions such as “According to Purdy”?

[10] Do you give a principled reason for either accepting or rejecting her view?

[11] Do you explain McMahan’s defense of prenatal genetic testing?

[12] Do you use expressions such as “According to McMahan”?

[13] Do you give a principled reason for either accepting or rejecting McMahan’s view?

[14] Do you have an analysis/conclusion? Do you give reasons supporting your thesis statement?

[15] Does your essay reflect a solid understanding of the assigned texts? Note that the purpose of my lecture notes is to help you work your way through the assigned readings. They are not intended as a replacement for the assigned readings. Your exposition of each theory should be drawn from the assigned reading (and not from various websites).

[16] Is your essay composed in standard written English?

[17] Is your essay free from grammatical mistakes and typos?

[18] Is your exposition complete and accurate?

[19] Is your critical analysis logically consistent?

[20] Does your essay meet the minimum 500 words?

[21] Have you removed all subjective language—i.e., “in my opinion”, “I feel” or “I personally think”? Remember, philosophy is based on facts and reasons, not feelings or opinions.

[22] Have you appropriately cited sources? Parenthetical citations are fine.