Michael J. Sandel and the Call to Human Responsibility

August 1, 2024

Author: Juan Manuel Palomares Cantero

Versión en español

Introduction

Michael J. Sandel, Professor of Political Philosophy at Harvard University, presents himself as one of the most influential voices in the debate on ethics, justice and technology. Renowned for his ability to make philosophy accessible to the general public, Sandel has captured global attention with his writings and courses that address complex issues clearly. In 2018, he was awarded the Princess of Asturias Award for Social Sciences¹ for his work in revitalising civic debate and connecting philosophy with contemporary issues.

Sandel's reflection on technology and its ethical implications is aligned with the vision of comprehensive education promoted by the Anahuac University. Inspired by the values of Christian humanism, this vision seeks to form leaders of positive action committed to the integral good of society. Anahuac University emphasizes the importance of honesty, professional and cultural preparation, and a deep responsibility in the face of social problems. In this context, Sandel challenges the tendency to view technology and markets as autonomous forces that operate independently of our ethical choices, underscoring the need to align technological progress with our deepest values.

In his book The Case Against Perfection: Ethics in the Age of Genetic Engineering², Sandel argues that turning procreation into an extension of consumerism challenges unconditional love, which is fundamental in the relationship between parents and children. This approach, he warns, risks eroding essential values that cannot be quantified or commercialized. Sandel's work challenges us to reconsider how and why we adopt certain technologies, urging deeper scrutiny of their moral and social implications. Their focus is not only on what technology can achieve, but on what it should achieve, prioritizing the common good over mere technical efficiency. Through this perspective, Sandel underscores the importance of maintaining a solid and thoughtful ethical debate, ensuring that technological progress is aligned with the deepest human and ethical values, in line with the motto of Anahuac University: Vince in bono malum, "Overcome evil with good."

Technology as a tool, not as a destination

Michael J. Sandel argues that technology should not be seen as an uncontrollable force that determines our destiny, but rather as a tool that we, as a society, can wield and direct. This implies that, despite rapid technological advances, we must avoid thinking that its impact is inevitable or beyond our control. Instead, Sandel asks the questions: how do we want technology to influence our lives? And what decisions can we make to ensure that its effects are positive?

To understand this idea, we can look at examples from the past where technology was shaped by human decisions. Nuclear power, for example, was initially developed to create weapons during World War II. However, after the war, scientists and political leaders decided to use it for peaceful purposes, such as generating electricity. This change was not accidental, but the result of a conscious decision to use the power of nuclear energy for the benefit of humanity³.

In agriculture, biotechnology has enabled the development of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which can resist pests and improve crop yields. However, the use of GMOs has been the subject of intense debate. In several countries, concerns about food security and biodiversity have led to strict regulations, showing how policies and ethical considerations can guide the use of technology⁴.

Another contemporary example is the development of the Internet and social networks. Decisions about how these platforms are managed, such as user privacy and content control, have had a huge impact on our daily lives. These platforms did not evolve by chance; They were designed and tailored based on specific decisions that affect how we interact and share information ⁵.

Through these examples, Sandel shows us that technology is in our hands. We can decide how to use it and where we want it to take us, which means actively participating in discussions about technological development and being aware of its ethical and social implications. Technology should serve our values and goals as a society, and not the other way around, thus ensuring that technical progress is aligned with our ideals and the common good.

Genetic design and the notion of perfection

Sandel discusses how genetic design has the potential to profoundly transform the relationship between parents and children. He raises concerns that this technology could turn parenting into a form of consumerism, where children are treated as products designed to meet their parents' expectations. This could lead to the selection of specific characteristics such as intelligence or physical appearance, similar to how attributes of a product are chosen in the market. He argues that this intervention in children's genetics is not only ethically problematic, but also challenges the concept of unconditional love. This love should be fundamental in the relationship between parents and children, involving accepting and loving children for who they are, regardless of their talents or defects. Parents' ability to select and design their children risks conditioning love to the extent that children meet pre-established expectations, thus eroding respect for children's individuality and autonomy.

In addition, he warns that the search for perfection through genetic design could intensify social inequalities. If only some parents can afford to select specific characteristics for their children, existing inequalities could deepen even further. This raises important questions about fairness and equity in access to these technologies. Sandel invites us to reflect on the core values that should guide our decisions about the use of genetic design, promoting unconditional love and acceptance of human diversity to align technological progress with deep ethical principles.

Ethical and social implications

The ethical and societal implications of using advanced technologies, such as genetic design, are complex and require careful consideration. Sandel warns that, without proper regulation, these technologies can exacerbate existing inequalities and create new forms of discrimination. Unequal access to genetic design could lead to only those with economic resources being able to "improve" their children, which would generate a more divided and unequal society, with privileges inherited not only socially, but also genetically. It also highlights that allowing unfettered genetic design can encourage extreme competition, where an individual's worth is measured by their genetic characteristics rather than their intrinsic humanity. This undermines the principle of equality and threatens to dehumanize social relationships by prioritizing certain traits over others. In a society where genetic characteristics can be selected, those who do not have access to these technologies could be seen as "less", intensifying inequalities.

Through his work, Sandel exhorts us to consider not only the capabilities of technology, but also its ethical and moral implications. He proposes that the debate on their use should go beyond the technical to address questions of the common good, justice and human dignity. It emphasizes the importance of integrating ethics into technological development, ensuring that progress is not only measured by the innovations achieved, but by their ability to improve the quality of life, respecting diversity and promoting equality.

Biolegal and human rights reflection

In the context of technological advances and genetic design, it is essential to consider the biolegal implications and human rights associated with these innovations. Michael J. Sandel warns us about the risks of seeing technology as an uncontrollable force, underscoring the importance of a regulatory framework that respects human dignity and promotes equity. From a biolegal perspective, it is essential to establish regulations that limit the use of technology in ways that may compromise individual autonomy and social equality.

Genetic design, in particular, raises critical questions about human rights. According to Sandel, allowing parents to select specific characteristics for their children not only transforms parenthood into an extension of consumerism, but also threatens to create new forms of discrimination and inequality. From a legal point of view, it is important to protect the right of children to be born with equal opportunities, regardless of their parents' economic capacities to access advanced technologies.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international treaties underline the right to dignity and non-discrimination. Within the framework of genetic design, these principles become crucial guides to regulate practices that could lead to biological inequalities. Laws need to not only regulate access to these technologies, but also ensure that their use does not undermine anyone's fundamental rights.

In addition, from a biolegal perspective, informed consent and personal autonomy should be considered as pillars of the ethical use of biotechnology. Individuals must have the ability to make decisions about their own body and genetics without coercion or manipulation, ensuring that technologies are not used to impose socially constructed standards of perfection.

Sandel reminds us that technology must be guided by ethical and human rights principles, prioritizing the well-being of all members of society over the technical possibilities they can offer. By integrating biolegal and human rights considerations, we can ensure that technological progress is not only efficient, but also fair and respectful of human dignity. This approach invites us to reflect on the legal and moral implications of our technological decisions, ensuring that scientific development is aligned with the fundamental values that define us as a society.

Conclusions

Michael J. Sandel's work serves as a call for human responsibility in the age of advanced technology. It invites us not to succumb to the perception of technology as an inevitable force that operates outside our control, but to recognize it as a tool that we must handle ethically and carefully. In exploring the implications of genetic design, Sandel warns of the danger of turning human beings into products of consumerism, eroding fundamental values such as unconditional love and fairness. In a broader context, it highlights the importance of an ethical and biolegal debate that prioritizes human rights and dignity over technical capabilities. By considering integral education and the common good as guides for progress, Sandel highlights the need for conscious and responsible decisions that ensure that technological development improves the lives of all, promoting justice, equality and respect for diversity. This perspective challenges us to integrate ethical principles and human values into every technological choice, ensuring that scientific advancement is aligned with what truly defines us as a society.

Juan Manuel Palomares Cantero is a lawyer, master and doctor in Bioethics from the Universidad Anáhuac, Mexico. He was director of Human Capital, director and general coordinator in the Faculty of Bioethics. He currently works as a researcher in the Academic Directorate of Integral Training of the same University. He is a member of the Mexican National Academy of Bioethics and the Latin American and Caribbean Federation of Bioethics Institutions. This article was assisted in its writing by the use of ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence tool developed by OpenAI. 

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