Bioconservatives

Bioconservatives are proponents of a cautious or restrictive approach to biomedical science and technology, especially in the realm of human enhancement and genetic modification. They argue that altering human biology beyond therapeutic needs risks harming individuals and society, and they emphasize the value of human nature, dignity, and continuity with the species’ evolutionary past. Bioconservatism is a stance within bioethics and public policy that often contrasts with more liberal or transhumanist viewpoints that advocate broader enhancement.

The term gained prominence in the late 20th and early 21st centuries as debates about embryo selection, germline genetic modification, neural and cognitive enhancement, and other biotechnologies intensified. Notable voices associated with bioconservative arguments include Francis Fukuyama, who warned of the political and social dangers of biotechnology in Our Posthuman Future, and Leon Kass, who chaired the U.S. President’s Council on Bioethics and stressed moral and existential concerns about altering human nature. Bioconservatives typically emphasize precaution, regulatory oversight, and the potential for unequal access or coercive use of technologies.

Core positions often center on safeguarding human dignity, preventing the commodification or instrumentalization of the body, and avoiding unintended consequences for social cohesion and justice. They may advocate for moral limits on research, strict oversight, and, in some cases, bans or strong restrictions on certain forms of genetic modification, germline editing, or enhancement technologies that exceed therapeutic aims.

Critics argue that bioconservatism can slow beneficial medical advances, underplay individual autonomy, and reflect conservative or paternalistic biases. The debate pits precaution against innovation, with ongoing discussions about appropriate regulation, ethical frameworks, and the societal implications of biomedical capability.