Biomedical eugenics in the context of modern biotechnological development as a subject of philosophical and ethical analysis

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to provide a comprehensive philosophical and ethical analysis of biomedical eugenics in the context of the rapid development of modern biotechnologies. It aims to identify the conceptual transformation of eugenics, its contemporary manifestations, associated social risks, and regulatory challenges. Particular emphasis is placed on the transition from classical coercive eugenics to its modern “liberal” forms embedded in individualized medical decision-making. The study employs an interdisciplinary methodology combining philosophical inquiry, bioethical analysis, historical-comparative methods, and critical interpretation of contemporary biomedical practices. A hermeneutic approach is applied to examine ethical frameworks and international normative documents, while comparative analysis is used to evaluate competing theoretical perspectives on genetic interventions and human enhancement. The article demonstrates that modern biomedical eugenics does not replicate classical eugenic doctrines directly but rearticulates their underlying logic through advanced medical technologies such as genome editing, prenatal and preimplantation genetic diagnostics, and assisted reproductive technologies. These practices, although often justified by therapeutic or preventive goals, generate complex ethical dilemmas related to the autonomy of the future individual, the moral status of the embryo, and parental authority in genetic decision-making. The study highlights the risks of emerging “genetic inequality,” potential stratification of society into biologically enhanced and non-enhanced groups, and new forms of discrimination based on genetic traits. It also reveals that genetic technologies reshape fundamental notions of human identity and challenge the boundaries of permissible intervention in human nature. Furthermore, insufficient global regulatory frameworks contribute to the rise of “biotechnological tourism,” undermining ethical governance. It is concluded that biomedical eugenics represents a multifaceted and controversial phenomenon requiring rigorous ethical reflection and legal regulation. The advancement of biotechnologies must be accompanied by clear normative boundaries, interdisciplinary dialogue, and international cooperation. Preserving human dignity should remain the central ethical principle limiting the instrumentalization of human life. Without robust oversight, biotechnological progress may lead to irreversible anthropological and social transformations, fundamentally altering the nature of humanity and the moral foundations of society.