The Value of Genetic Knowledge

Abstract

This chapter vindicates the claim that donor-conceived people’s interest in acquiring genetic knowledge is worthwhile by offering an account of the value of genetic knowledge. The author develops and defends a view called “genetic pluralism” according to which having genetic knowledge can, but need not, play a central role in the task of identity determination. In this way, having genetic knowledge is prudentially optional. The author explains the task of identity determination in terms of answering the question “Who am I?,” which is, in turn, unpacked in terms of three other questions: “How did I come to be?,” “What am I like?,” and “Who am I like?” The author shows how having genetic knowledge can—but need not—play a role in answering each of these questions.