Feminist Bioethics of Human Enhancement

Abstract

Abstract This chapter discusses the most important issue for feminist bioethics of space missions, namely the issue of human enhancement and reproduction in space. The problematic nature of the notion of the norm, which has exclusionary potential, is presented. The chapter shows how the idea of human enhancement can negatively affect women in particular. Commodification, medicalization, and instrumental treatment of the female body, which is subject to constant scrutiny and monitoring, is discussed. These phenomena will increase rather than decrease in the cosmos. Feminist arguments for and against germ cell modification are discussed. Finally, considerable attention is given to the feminist approach to reproduction, and potential threats to reproductive rights in space are shown.