Full Idea
Lack of capacity to reproduce is a defect in a human being. But choice of childlessness and even celibacy is not thereby shown to be defective choice, because human good is not the same as plant or animal good.
Gist of Idea
Sterility is a human defect, but the choice to be childless is not
Source
Philippa Foot (Natural Goodness [2001], 3)
Book Reference
Foot,Philippa: 'Natural Goodness' [OUP 2003], p.42
A Reaction
Is failure to reproduce a defect in an animal? If goodness and virtue derive from function, it is hard to see how deliberate childlessness could be a human good, even if it is not a defect. Choosing to terminate a hereditary defect seems good.