Designer babies is the term being used by the media to describe the future of modifying or selecting child's genes for desirable characteristics. Advanced reproductive technologies allow parents and doctors to screen embryos for genetic disorders and select healthy embryos. This process involve using InVitro Fertilization or, also known as IVF, to fertilize eggs with sperm in test-tubes outside of the mother's body in a laboratory. These techniques allow doctors and parents to reduce the chance that a child will be born with a genetic disorder. This technique is used for parents to a kid's sex and screen for genetic illness but will they someday select this for brains and beauty as well? Is this socially and ethically wrong?
Adapting a technique used on livestock, researchers at the Genetics & IVF Institute in Fairfax took advantage of a simple rule of biology: girls have two X chromosomes, while boys have one X and one Y. The mother has only Xs to offer, so the balance of power lies with the father-specifically with his sperm, which brings either an X or a Y to the fertilization process. As it happens, Y chromosomes have slightly less DNA than Xs. So by staining the sperm's DNA with a nontoxic light-sensitive dye, the Virginia scientists were able to sort sperm by gender-with a high rate of success-before using them in artificial insemination. The first couple to use the technique was looking to escape a deadly disease known as X-linked hydrocephalus, or water on the brain, which almost always affects boys. (Times Magazine, Designer babies)
Designer babies is debatable whether it is good, or not. Genetic screening can recude the baby's chances of being born with serious diseases. This can include: Down Syndrome, Family Hypercholesterolemia, Diamond Blackfan (a rare blood disorder), and much more.Their are cases in which designer babies has turned to be a positive thing and has saved many lives. For example, Charlie Whitaker, suffered from Diamond Blackfan Anaemia, Charlie's parents wanted to have a designer baby to save Charlie's life. In 2003, Charlies baby brother was born and the stem cells from his umbilical cord would be used to treat Charlie. (Times Magazine, Designer babies)
People begun to ask questions such as, “Is it ethical to create designer babies with enhanced physical ability and appearance?” According to The National Director of Christian Voice, Stephen Green said, "The objection to the idea of designer babies is that it divorces procreation from the act of sexual congress, and there's a real sense in which it is playing God." Critics point out that the level of biodiversity in the human race will plummet, which can result in long term disaster. According to trans-humanist author Jame Hughes, the genetic modification is perfectly fine if nobody gets hurt and everybody has access. He believes that restricting is is an assault on reproductive freedom. He quotes, “It’s in the same category as abortion. If you think women have the right to control their own bodies, then they should be able to make this choice," he said. "There should be no law restricting the kind of kids people have, unless there’s gross evidence that they’re going to harm that kid, or harm society." (Designer Babies, A right of choice?). If this is considered like abortion, would it not be wrong? Would it not stand against are religious beliefs as Christian Catholics? According to our faith, abortion is considered killing and claims that embryos are persons with rights and therefore have the right to live. Does the embryo also not have a choice to make? Maybe the male parent which has a passion for sports might apply athletic genes to the embryo, what if this is not wanted by them when they are older? There has been a number of discussion relating whether or not designer babies are ethical implications. Taking a look into the future, this will definitely cause chaos. It will result in increase of unreasonable fear or hatred towards foreigners or anyone who appears different. People with genetic defects will be socially rejected. (Buzzle Articles)
In my personal opinion, designer babies are a privilege up to an extend. If the idea of designer babies lays behind preventing the future baby from medical problems I believe that it is correct and reasonable. However, society presently is strongly influenced by media and the fact that you can design the baby by the way they will physically look, and how smart they will be, is not right. Also, I believe that designer babies has an idea that is similar to abortion. In abortion, you are not accepting your child for who they are and how they are. Instead, some parents decide to take the child's life away, in a way, designer babies is the same, the child is not given the choice but instead the parents make it for them thinking that it is alright. Also, if parents are willing to pay millions of dollars for a child, are they going to expect them to be perfect and use that against the child? Do you believe that that is right? I personally do not.
Words Cited:
- http://ca.askmen.com/daily/blogs/technology/are-designer-babies-ethical.html
- http://www.buzzle.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-designer-babies.html
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4 comments:
I completely agree with you on this issue. I believe that when designer babies are used to save a life, it may be necessary, but when it comes to changing the characteristics from what they would be naturally if the baby was born without gene therapy, i disagree with designer babies. When a child is created and "fixed" to fulfill and satisfy the standards of their parents, its like saying their parents would not like them any other way. It is so important for children to be loved for who they are, and to not be characterized based on their physical appearances. I honestly hope that people looking to have a family, use the traditional "i find out when the baby is born" rather than using the technology of designer babies for any other use, but helping to save the lives of other children.
I just wanted to add to my post that you're blog post on the topic of Designer Babies was very well written and insightful! It really showed what a designer baby was and your opinion on the issue. The visuals were great, as well! :)
Vilma! Excellent blog! I found your blog extremely informative because you provided a lot of scientific background to the actualy process of creating desighner babies. Addiontally I like thed fact that you used specific examples of actual people who have had experiences with the desighner babies. Some constructive critiscm , is that your blog was a little on the long side, however as I said before it was really well done. I also would like to add that I completely agree with your vies on the issue, which is that desighner babies created for non-medical purposes is infact very wrong. Overall I really liked your blog :)
Helloo Vilma,
I have enjoyed reading your blog. I think that you did a good job incorporating facts about chromosomes in this blog because I haven't seen it on anyone else's blog. Another thing that surprised me is that you have given an example of someone who has been through IVF which is also another thing I've hardly seen anyone do. I think that the questions and opinions you have raised shows that you've done your homework on the subject so good job to you.
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