Different ethical theories would interpret the use of CRISPR-Cas9 in diverse methods. A utilitarian might view the use of CRISPR-Cas9 in two different ways. Utilitarians believe in creating the maximum amount of happiness and pleasure for the greatest number of people. Some utilitarians would view genetic manipulation as a positive, saving many families from the heartbreak of disease. However some Utilitarians might be opposed to the use of CRISPR-Cas9 because of the harm it could cause to future generations, creating negative consequences greater than that of any other eugenics movement. A utilitarian would consult the hedonistic calculus to determine the best course of action needed when considering using CRISPR-Cas9. In the case of CRISPR-Cas9 …show more content…
The number of people affected by an older patients use of CRISPR-Cas9 may be lower than the affects it has on a younger patient, because of the lasting affect it could have on the younger patients and their future offspring. A utilitarian consulting the hedonistic calculus may also consider the duration of pleasure, evaluating how positive or negative results would affect future generations. A high chance of a positive reaction to CRISPR-Cas9 would appeal to an utilitarian because of the fecundity for future generations. However the likelihood of CRISPR-Cas9 working would have to be high, because a utilitarian focuses on the certainty of the action producing happiness. When considering using the drug CRISPR-Cas9 an act utilitarian would act in accordance to what will result in happiness for the greatest number of people. An act utilitarian might not be opposed to the use of CRISPR-Cas9 because of the positive affect it would have on a patient. A rule utilitarian would evaluate using CRISPR-Cas9 in accordance to rules surrounding the particular action. A rule utilitarian would only act if the law permitted all of the actions. According to John Stuart Mill in his book Utilitarianism, "to have a right, then, is, I conceive, to have something which society ought to defend me in the