UDC 613.94:341.231.14
Biblid: 0543-3657, 70 (2019)
Vol. 70, No 1175, pp. 5-22

Original paper
Received: 23 Aug 2019
Accepted: 22 Jun 2019

NEW EUGENICS IN LIGHT OF INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION

ĐUKANOVIĆ Anđela (Anđela Đukanović PhD, Research Fellow, Institute of International Politics and Economics, Belgrade), andjela@diplomacy.bg.ac.rs

Technological development in the field of genetics led to the creation of the notion of the new eugenics, which aroused numerous discussions, primarily regarding the continuity or discontinuity of the new eugenics with the old eugenics. The usefulness of this notion in protecting the fundamental human rights can be examined. Establishing the differences or similarities with the old eugenics and different definitions of the new eugenics, do not provide a clear roadmap about what behaviors are contrary to the basic values, which should be protected at an international level. The focus should rather be shifted to specific controversial technologies, perhaps primarily on practices that already have or are about to have broader application, like in the case of noninvasive prenatal genetic testing (NIPT). Additionally, reproductive tourism and the development of technology require a quick response. On the other hand, in an ethically complex area, reaching consensus is a difficult task.

Keywords: human rights, eugenics, Biomedicine Convention, EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, sex selection, genetic modifications, cloning