Utilitarianism In Julian Savulescu's The Ethical Life

Julian Savulescu tries to argue on the grounds of Utilitarianism that parents have a moral duty to improve their children’s genetic makeup in the same way that they would improve the child’s “environment” or prevent diseases (The Ethical Life, 443). Julian thinks this is a duty because it will yield the most positive outcomes or consequences. He believes that failure to use genetic enhancements, when a parent has an opportunity to benefit their child, is neglecting the child’s needs which is morally wrong (The Ethical Life, 443). Julian also defends his position by claiming that it would be inconsistent to “train our children to behave well”, but then refuse to seek genetic enhancements for our children so they have the tools to succeed, when

Rather, famous Deontologist Immanuel Kant would argue that it has nothing to do with the results of the act at all, but it has everything to do with the intentions or reasons for the act which are contained in the principles we live by (Kant, 163). This means that a person is morally obligated to act in accordance with a certain set of principles and rules regardless of the outcome (Shakil, n.d.). In other words, Kant would argue that some actions are always wrong, even if it leads to admirable outcomes and therefore actions should be judged independently of their outcomes (Shakil, n.d.). In regards to genetic enhancement it is always wrong to try and genetically enhance a child’s personality and body even if it would result in seemingly good consequences. In fact, Kant argues that an action morality can only be determined by goodwill which can be used by acting according to moral duty consisting of a set of maxims which have no contradictions (Shakil, n.d.). However, Julian’s points about genetic enhancements do contradict the moral