Genetics, society and Genetics, society and insuranceinsurance

Margo TrappenburgMargo Trappenburg

Universiteit Utrecht

USBOUSBO

Professor John Harris (1945)University of Manchester

General ethical theoriesGeneral ethical theories

Utilitarian philosophy, e.g. John Harris: Utilitarian philosophy, e.g. John Harris: maximize overall happiness.maximize overall happiness.

Ambition sensitive and endowment Ambition sensitive and endowment insensitive. insensitive.

This is not the way we do itThis is not the way we do it

Moral norms are different in different Moral norms are different in different political communities.political communities.

E.g.: abortion/PND in China, India E.g.: abortion/PND in China, India versus abortion in Europa, USversus abortion in Europa, US

E.g. euthanasia in US versus E.g. euthanasia in US versus euthanasia in the Netherlandseuthanasia in the Netherlands

Spheres of justice in liberal Spheres of justice in liberal countriescountries

Political spherePolitical sphere

Majority decidesMajority decides

Divine graceDivine grace Sphere of the marketSphere of the market

Free exchangeFree exchangeLove and affectionLove and affection

Medical careMedical care

EducationEducation

WelfareWelfare

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Sphere of medical careSphere of medical care

Distribution according to needDistribution according to need

(not according to wealth, guilt, not (not according to wealth, guilt, not ‘ambition sensitive’)‘ambition sensitive’)

Genetic technology was first Genetic technology was first developed in this sphere.developed in this sphere.

Genetics in the sphere of health careGenetics in the sphere of health care

IVF according to medical needIVF according to medical need PND for medical reasonsPND for medical reasons PGD for medical reasonsPGD for medical reasons

Crossing borders ICrossing borders I

Using medical Using medical technology (e.g. technology (e.g. genetics) for non genetics) for non medical purposes: medical purposes: debate about eugenicsdebate about eugenics

PoliticalPolitical

spheresphereHealth Health carecare

MarketMarket

Free Free exchangeexchange

Crossing borders IICrossing borders II

Having a medical condition while Having a medical condition while being a consumerbeing a consumer

Some analogies Some analogies

Buying life insuranceBuying life insurance

The history of genetic exceptionalismThe history of genetic exceptionalism Ambition sensitive and endowment insensitive Ambition sensitive and endowment insensitive

after all?after all?

Ine van Hoyweghen,Risks in the Making. Travels in Life Insurance and Genetics 2007

Abandoning genetic exceptionalism?Abandoning genetic exceptionalism?

What would happen? Small group? Large group? What would happen? Small group? Large group?

Is life insurance justly perceived as a market Is life insurance justly perceived as a market good? If not, what is it?good? If not, what is it?

ConclusionConclusion

Abandoning genetic exceptionalism seems Abandoning genetic exceptionalism seems the right thing to do provided we manage the right thing to do provided we manage to keep other societal spheres (education, to keep other societal spheres (education, medical care, welfare) free from market medical care, welfare) free from market interference.interference.