The Canada Research Chair in Bioethics and Philosophy

Our research on intergenerational justice is funded by the Canada Research Chair program.

 

Established by the Government of Canada in 2000, the Canada Research Chairs program supports excellence in research at Canadian universities. The Chairs encourage outstanding Canadian scholars to remain in Canada and help to develop the next generation of scholars. In 2004, Françoise Baylis was awarded a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Bioethics and Philosophy at Dalhousie University. This is a seven year, renewable position.

 

The focal point of Françoise Baylis’ research is intergenerational justice. Specifically, given the extent to which we may exercise control over human evolution through genetic or other means, what do we owe to future generations? What should we do for the sake of those with whom we will not co-exist, and what should we refrain from doing? These problems are addressed through the lens of volitional evolution: the intentional genetic shaping of human purpose and fitness. These long-range justice considerations give us a valuable vantage point on current practices regarding the distribution of health benefits and burdens, access to care, and solidarity within and across groups.

 

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) provided infrastructure funding for the creation of an Intellectual Commons at Dalhousie University. There are two components to this research space.  The first component is for faculty in each of three Faculties (Medicine, Arts and Social Sciences, and Law).  The second component is for research assistants, research associates, and visiting scholars  working with core faculty members. This research space fosters the productive exchange of ideas across research areas and methodologies.