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Essay / Natality, ability to be oneself and prohibition of...
In modern society with the rapid development of our scientific capabilities, Jurgen Habermas makes us aware of the development of biotechnology and human genetic engineering. It raises a question relating not only to the morals, but also to the ethics of this newly developed technology. In this section of the book, Habermas agrees that while some forms of genetic manipulation are morally acceptable for screening to rule out disease, some unbalanced influences threaten future humans and the status of authenticity. However, the problematic character lies in the beliefs and moral norms that are located in the forms of “being”, which are reproduced through the communicative action of members. First of all, birth rate is the production or birth rate of new individuals. Habermas interprets Hannah Arendt as saying that "each birth, invested with the hope that something completely different will come to break the chain of eternal recurrence, must be considered in the eschatological light of the biblical promise: 'a child is born upon us » (H 58). Eternal recurrence also called eternal return according to Nietzsche is the life you live now and have lived it. Eternal recurrence implies a new life from one's death, which is morally deceptive. Every time a child is born, a new life story also appears. Unfortunately, natural destiny is essential to the ability to be oneself and thus the body does not lose its value and sense of authenticity. Ultimately, the person modified by a socialized destiny suffered would see his “self” move away and would not be the “author” of the decisions that affect his life (H 59.60). It is a false belief that humans desire good things (Socrates). “To avoid this, we can only achieve the continuity of a life story because we can refer, to establish the difference between what we are and what happens to us beyond socialization” (H 60) . Furthermore, the ability to be oneself or authenticity assumes that we are non-exchangeable. It is for this “capacity to be oneself” that “the intention of others” and the exploitation of our life history through genetic programs could prove primarily disruptive” (H 57). It fails the universalization test. It's like science is playing God and humans are disposable. Birth is a beginning that we must and cannot control. “No man could be master of himself, except of the goodness of God, he was already wise enough to know where the gift came from” (L, Augustine 46).