Andre and Leslie's dilemma raises a variety of philosophical questions about genetic selection and disability. Consider exploring the following resources, which illuminate the intersections of genetic selection, disability rights, and the lived experiences of the Deaf community.

Philosopher Kieran Setiya challenges the notion that physical disability inherently diminishes well-being. Drawing on recent philosophical and empirical work, he argues that disability is not necessarily harmful in itself but depends on social and material circumstances, such as access to resources and accommodations. Setiya critiques the idea of a "perfect" life as overly restrictive, advocating instead for a pluralistic understanding of flourishing, where diverse lives- including ones that include limitations- can be equally fulfilling.

Elizabeth Barnes' book The Minority Body: A Theory of Disability, challenges the assumption that disability inherently diminishes well-being. Defending the "mere-difference" view, Barnes presents disability as a variation in human experience rather than a disadvantage. She also highlights the importance of disability pride in combating social biases and amplifying the voices of disabled people. Other thinkers adopt social model of disability that shifts the focus from individual impairments to how environments and attitudes create accessibility challenges.

Julian Savulescu's paper delves into the ethics of genetic selection. He argues that prospective parents have a moral obligation to choose children with the best chances of leading flourishing lives, raising fundamental questions about how we define "the best life" and the role of genetics in shaping it.

Adrienne Asch warns that prenatal genetic testing aimed at avoiding disabilities risks sending the harmful message that lives involving disabilities are less worth living. In many ways, to be human is to be frail, embodied, and mortal. This Aeon article advocates for creating a more inclusive world that addresses both social and physical limitations while embracing our vulnerability and interdependence as fundamental aspects of human life.

A related issue is the use of cochlear implants for deaf children. Cochlear implants, which enable deaf children to hear, are becoming increasingly available. But many feel that the use of cochlear implants leads to the devaluation of sign language and disconnection with the Deaf community. Embracing Deaf culture can provide essential support for children and families, fostering communication, identity and social belonging that medical interventions alone cannot achieve, as this article in The Conversation argues.

Similarly, Robert Sparrow argues that deafness should be viewed not only as a disability, but also as a marker of cultural identity within the Deaf community. Sparrow contends that widespread adoption of cochlear implants risks undermining Deaf culture by reducing its population and devaluing its unique language and traditions.

To ground these debates in broader philosophical and practical contexts, the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy provides comprehensive entries on several aspects of disability, including definitions and conceptions of disability, disability and justice, and disability and well-being. Similar themes are at play in debates about the ethics of human enhancement.

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) serves as a vital resource for understanding the rights, culture, and experiences of Deaf and hard of hearing individuals. The NAD is the oldest and largest constituency organization safeguarding the accessibility and civil rights of deaf and hard of hearing Americans in education, employment, healthy care, and telecommunication.

Finally, the following cases were provided to students taking part in the National High School Ethics Bowl program, produced by the Parr Center for Ethics at UNC-Chapel Hill. The cases explore various real world scenarios and their ethical implications, adding some questions for reflection. You might want to read these and discuss them with your friends, peers or classmates: The CRISPR Conundrum, A Phenotypic Prometheus, Bodily Integrity Identity Disorder, and Cheerleading and Disability.