Before the cradle: New genetics, biopolicy and regulated eugenics

The now genetics is of undoubted importance to the future of welfare reform , but if this influence is not to be dominated by Right-wing values and pre scriptions then some alternative conceptions need to be in place. This arti cle begins by criticising the recent intervention by Charles Murray, insist ing that Murray opens the door to a laissez faire eugenics. It then proceed s to outline a theory of regulated eugenics, justifying use of the concept 'eugenics' along the way, in terms of three elements: a multidimensional co nception of human nature, differential egalitarianism and the precautionary principle. It then elaborates upon these ideas, and contrasts them with la issez faire eugenics, in a discussion of three areas of direct and immediat e relevance to social policy: genetic screening, gene therapy and reproduct ion.