Department of Philosophy, Macalester College

Martin Gunderson is a professor of philosophy at Macalester College where he teaches courses on ethics and bioethics.  He received his PhD from Cornell University and his JD from the University of Minnesota.  He has published articles on the right to die, informed consent, freedom of speech and privacy.  He is currently working on the ethics of genetic engineering.

The debate over whether germ-line genetic engineering is justified on the basis of the consent or presumed consent of future generations is mired in philosophical confusion and best avoided by relying instead on the value that justifies the consent requirement.  While most bioethicists ground the requirement on individual autonomy, I argue that it is best grounded on respect for moral agency—the ability to reflect on moral considerations and conform one’s behavior to those considerations.  Genetic engineering, including engineering for the purpose of enhancement, is justified insofar as it respects the value we place on moral autonomy.