Caldwell, Lynton Keith. "Biocracy and Democracy: Science, Ethics, and the Law." Politics and the Life Sciences 3, 2 (February, 1985):137-149.
[Four commentaries and author response, pp. 150-162]
From the Introduction. Because some of the language that follows is unconventional, it may be useful to clarify terms at the outset. The term biocracy as used here has two meanings, or more accurately, has two aspects to an inclusive meaning. The inclusive meaning is the influence of life forces on human social behavior, notably political behavior. The first, and basic, aspect of biocracy pertains to the actual influence of life forces on human society whether or not perceived or understood. The second aspect refers to the perceived effects on society of the findings and applications of the life sciences. Perceived effects may or may not be consistent with actual influences; they may nonetheless shape popular attitudes, values, beliefs, and behavior. To the extent that life forces are deterministic they shape the character of societies. The extent to which human social behavior is biologically determined is largely unknown. At the very least, life forces appear to set limits within w hich human culture may select various options.
Thus, the validity of biocracy as a concept depends upon the extent to which actual life forces do in fact influence social behavior. This uncertainty has long been the focus of debate over free will versus determinism, an issue lying beyond the scope of this paper. At the present stage of knowledge regarding behavior we must often be content merely to describe what appears to be true, based upon the best available evidence both historical and empirical. That human belief affects human behavior is a safe generalization, regardless of the truth of the belief. Beliefs regarding life and its processes have had a demonstrable effect on social attitudes, theories, and practices and hence on politics. The history of changing attitudes toward epilepsy and insanity illustrate the point. To the extent that beliefs affect behavior they may take on the character of self-fulfilling prophecies: believers in witchcraft have no great difficulty in discovering witches….
The impact of biocracy on other than democratic political systems may differ from its impact on democracy. Effect may vary with variations in social and political systems, and there may be some consequences in common. The observations that follow are substantially confined to the political system now prevailing in the United States and to democracies most closely resembling it. They do not distinguish differing types and degrees of democracy; the term is used in a general conventional sense.
Therefore, it is possible to speak of the impact of biocracy upon democracy only in the most general sense, since neither of these terms is sufficiently fixed for a more detailed analysis. A practical concern for citizens, scientists, and public officials is instead the question: What are or may be the effects of advancements in the life sciences upon particular versions of democracy? The importance of this question has grown as advancements in the life sciences, especially in the latter half of the 20th century, have altered the circumstances of modern society. Even when beneficial, many of these advances, particularly in biotechnology, have had an unsettling effect upon both attitudes and institutions.