On-site Valedictory lecture Prof. dr. Wybo J. Dondorp
Extraordinary professor Respect for future persons; Significance of the Humanistic Perspective for the Ethics of Human Reproductive Genetics
"Respect voor toekomstige personen. Humanisme en reprogenetics." [in Dutch]
Reproductive diagnostics and screening provide information for prospective parents to take into account the (increased) risks of a child born with a congenital disorder in reproductive decisions. New technological opportunities in this field require an adequate ethical framework. The humanistic starting point of ‘respect for persons’ could be of great additional value for this. Firstly, the starting point entails the persuasion that reproductive decisions should not be used as an instrument of public health goals. Secondly, the equal societal position of people living with disorders or disabilities should not be compromised. Last but not least: respect for persons also means respect for future persons, indicating the ones being born through these techniques. Their right to decide for themselves what they want to know about their genome must be respected in principle.
