Are therapeutic or reproductive cloning and genetic enhancement ever morally permissible?

Moral and Social Problems
Take-home Final Essay
Due Date: May 14th by 11:59 pm on Blackboard
Worth: 20% of your final grade
Rules: 5 pages
Readings:
– Leon R. Kass, “Preventing Brave New World,” pp.478-486.
– Gregory E. Pence, “Will Cloning Harm People?” pp.486-494.
– Michael j. Sandel, “The Case Against Perfection,” pp. 495-502.
– Frances M. Kamm, “Is There a Problem with Enhancement?” pp. 503-514.
– Peter Singer, “Parental Choice and Human Improvement,” pp. 515-522.
The assignment/Your task:
Over the course of the semester, we explored 4 different moral and social issues and, as we examined
them, we discussed different moral theories such as relativism, egoism, altruism, virtue ethics,
consequentialism, or Kantianism. For the final essay you are asked to write a 5–6-page essay where
you develop an argument to answer the following two questions:
– Are therapeutic or reproductive cloning and genetic enhancement ever morally
permissible?
– What best explains why such activities are morally right or morally wrong?
– In which moral theory (or moral theories) is grounded your argument about cloning and
genetic enhancement.
Your analysis should be grounded in at least three of the readings listed above. Your essay should
show understanding of the material analyze and discussed (the articles analyzed and discussed in the
paper). You should also use transitions, or connecting words, to show the relationship between ideas
and provide flow and logic to your argument.
Structurally your essay should include:
1- An introduction that includes a thesis (clearly stated) and a brief outline of the ideas you
intend to develop in your paper.
2- Several paragraphs (the body of your paper) where a) you discuss arguments in support
of your view and support your claims with textual references and examples and b) you
raise at least one objection and (attempt to) respond to it. Throughout the body of the essay
you will provide definitions of the key concepts you analyze and develop your ideas
sufficiently as you discuss arguments and objections.
3- A conclusion where you briefly summarize your argument.
4- A works cited page