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parent’s concept of health and values, why not allow the present generation to give future generations enhanced capabilities— for example, the capacity to be more intelligent— thereby lifting them to the peak of human potentialities? Leave it up to each couple to make these choices in a responsible manner, on an individualized, decentralized basis. Through trial and error let them use genetic technology to help their progeny. In exercising their autonomy, parents should remember that what they choose may not turn out for the best in light of future conditions. Also, far from all the basic characteristics of a human are genetically determined. Our environment and our free will play roles. Because parents may be thwarted in attempting to control how their children’s lives will turn out, many may come to accept the limits on their control.

SOME CONCLUDING THOUGHTS ON GENETIC ENHANCEMENT

A need exists to reject the rather simple-minded and naive biological determinism, ascribing everything to our genes, the qualities, personality, physique, temperament, intelligence, of who we are. The improvement of one gene will not necessarily enhance a human’s entire system in a beneficial and harmonious manner. Genetic causation is complex. One gene may have multiple effects. Multiple genes interact to create behavioral traits. Intelligence, for example, has, to a large degree, genetic causation; however, the causal relations are complex. Thus, one influential commentator on science issues concludes that it is doubtful we will be able to bioengineer superathletes or superscholars.®* Immense challenges await us in achieving superhuman attributes.

All children, including designer offspring, will still be subject to the vicissititudes of their environment and life experiences as well as the vagaries of random forces, such as chance. Social and environmental factors have an incalculable and continuous influence on human growth and development; parents will come to realize they