No. 73 (2025): Septiembre-diciembre
Filosofía en el espacio público

The Freedom Argument in the Debate on Genetic Enhancement

Brais González Arribas
Universidade de Vigo

Published 2025-08-25

Keywords

  • transhumanism,
  • human genome,
  • morphological freedom,
  • procreative autonomy,
  • equity,
  • genetic manipulation,
  • eugenics,
  • bioconservatism,
  • democratic control,
  • healthcare system
  • ...More
    Less

How to Cite

González Arribas, B. (2025). The Freedom Argument in the Debate on Genetic Enhancement. Tópicos, Revista De Filosofía, 73, 485-508. https://doi.org/10.21555/top.v730.3041

Abstract

This article studies the use of the category of freedom by several of the most influential transhumanist thinkers to justify intervening in the human genome for enhancement purposes. Thus, it analyses the principles of morphological freedom and procreative autonomy, the main ways in which the idea of freedom is discussed in this field of study. It also examines the corrections and nuances that transhumanism itself proposes to these principles, since it is difficult to harmonise them with equality or social equity, as well as the arguments presented by bioconservative thinkers who are critical of transhumanism and the genetic manipulation of the human species for its bio-enhancement. The conclusion invites us to take this public debate seriously so that any genetic manipulation in humans carried out with the aim of enhancing the species is subject to democratic control.

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