Practice Makes Perfect: At what cost to humanity? - Ryan T. Anderson

A review of three deeply flawed books on human enhancement by biotechnological means.

© The Weekly Standard

Human Dignity and Public Bioethics - Gilbert Meilander

On the use and abuse of the language of human dignity in contemporary debates on bioethical issues: an American perpective

© New Atlantis

Embryonic Debate - Robert P. George & Christopher Tollefsen

A Reply to William Saletan, liberal bioethics writer, former embryo.

We thank Saletan for his review of Embryo and commend him for focusing (for the most part) on just the right question:  Is the human embryo a whole living member of the species Homo sapiens—a human being—in the earliest stage of his or her natural development?  We say yes, that is exactly what a human embryo is; he says no.  The question is not metaphysical or religious, but rather scientific.  But it is a scientific question with profound moral consequences for those who believe, as we do, and as we are sure Saletan does, in the profound, inherent, and equal dignity of all members of the human family.  So we urge readers to consider what Saletan has said, what we have said in reply, and to consult any of the major textbooks in human embryology to determine who has gotten the science right.   It is worth the effort, for what is ultimately at stake, if we are right, is a true moral nightmare: “the mass production, exploitation, and destruction of human embryos".

© National Review