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Genetics and the Value of Life: Historical Dimensions

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Medicine Studies

Abstract

The value of life can be viewed from moral, biologic, and economic perspectives. In connection with the development of genetics, each of these perspectives has gained importance throughout history. Whereas agricultural genetics has always been directed towards having an economic impact, from the beginning genetics research in humans has focused on all dimensions of the value of life. Today, health insurance, employers, politicians, and public health scientists view genetics research as one of the key disciplines to predict costs and economic values of human beings. However, the reasoning cannot go without considering biologic health risks and moral values to the same extent. This paper examines the historical dimensions of current debates surrounding genetics and the value of life. Thus, the paper is conceptual and offers a heuristic model and analytical categories for answering the question, “what is so intriguing about genetics that it can be closely connected with different value concepts,” although the consideration of the moral, biologic, or economic value of life may lead to completely different ideas of man and society. A special emphasis will be placed on the use of genetics for the purposes of the eugenics movement. During the heyday of eugenics, the economic value of life changed the understanding of the moral value, as well as the biologic value of life by referring to genetic principles. It will be argued that an intended intertwinement of the different dimensions of the concept of “value” on the one hand increased the impact of genetics as a key discipline of the eugenics movement, and on the other hand had a lasting impact on debates about the economic usefulness of genetics as a predictive, prophylactic medical discipline.

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Notes

  1. See, for example, the evaluation of supramonetary and monetary values of life from an economist’s view in tort recovery, Ireland and Gilbert (1998, pp. 189–201), the discussion of economic and moral values in the evaluation of the value of human life by Schurz (1996, pp. 23–45), discussions of the philosophical origins of the economic valuation of life, J. C. Robinson (1986, pp. 133–155), or the classical overview of medical ethics and the value of life by Harris (1985). Within the framework of veterinary science and practice, Susan Jones has shown how concepts of values were blended and shaped by a professional class, how “the veterinary sciences and veterinary medicine functioned as a major expert advisors on valuing animals” (p. 6).

  2. This process is not unique for genetics and eugenics. For example, within the framework of veterinary science and practice, Susan Jones (2003) has shown how concepts of values were blended and shaped by a professional class, how “the veterinary sciences and veterinary medicine functioned as a major expert advisors on valuing animals” (p. 6).

  3. A historiographic overview of actuarial science is given by J. Hickmann (2004). The development of actuarial theory in the political and economic contexts of Germany and Switzerland has been analysed by Lengwiler (2003, pp. 131–150).

  4. Among the many works on the international eugenics movement, see e.g., Proctor (1988), Weindling (1989), Kevles (1998), Kline (2001), and Barrett and Kurzman (2004).

  5. Galton wanted to counteract the so called “differential birth rate” that was allegedly leading to the disappearance of the more valuable social groups leading to degeneration of society (Soloway 1979, pp. 264–286).

    Interestingly enough, Herbert Spencer came to similar conclusions between 1874 and 1896 when he was discussing the evolution of societies under complementary Lamarckian premises, which partly contradicted the Darwinian concepts of Galton. Spencer considered evolution as a dual process of integration and dissolution in a state of equilibrium. However, dissolution in his view prevailed if the capacity of a system to integrate new elements was overextended (Turner et al. 2002). Thus, Spencer’s complementary modes of explanations lead to similar beliefs in retrogression as Galton’s theories due to their embeddedness in the same historical context (Gondermann 2007).

  6. See, for example, the chapter on racial hygiene and world view by the German eugenicist Fritz Lenz (1887–1976) in the German standard textbook on racial hygiene and eugenics by Baur et al. (1931). On the influence of this work, see Fangerau (2005).

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  1. Institute of the History, Philosophy and Ethics of Medicine, Ulm University, Frauensteige 6, Klinikum Michelsberg, 89075, Ulm, Germany

    Heiner Fangerau

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  1. Heiner Fangerau
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Fangerau, H. Genetics and the Value of Life: Historical Dimensions. Medicine Studies 1, 105–112 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12376-009-0011-y

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