Designer Babies: Ethical and Social Implications

The term “Designer Baby” is a scare tactic given by the media as a way of negatively putting it out there. In actuality, the medical term used by scientist is “InVitro Fertilisation or IVF” The advanced reproductive technological field can allow future parents to have a peek of their genetics and what their future offspring could be like; by scanning the embryos they can eliminate any harmful diseases that may possess.

This process is quite intricate. They first pick a sperm to fertilize an egg. But before they do so, they examine and choose from the sperm that will determine the sex and physical characteristics. Currently, scientists have been studying on altering DNA and allowing future offspring to carry specific traits. Furthermore, they are able to eliminate any heredity diseases that they may carry in their lifetime. They do this by getting two sets of DNA and changing parts; combining it into that one set of perfect DNA – process called Germ Line Therapy. So far, this study has been getting positive results in mammal embryos but they have not conducted a study for human (illegal at the moment).


There are many social implications to using InVitro Fertilization. The costs on using this newly developed procedure costs around $18,000 CDN currently; in our society, people with genetic defects are already treated unequally. If only the financially able families were to remove this traits for future generations; the genetically defected people’s value will be lowered even more so. Also, competitively in any activities, people that were conceived through in vitro fertilization would have a greater advantage than the ones that were born normally without changing any traits.

There are also ethical implications—as I said before, there’s the concern of being financially able to do this genetic processing. The ability to change genetic characteristics is remarkable and it can save lives. But does that mean there will be a negative distinction between designer babies and babies born naturally?

I personally do not agree with “Designer babies” because of the concerns there are when raising that child. For example, if my friend had been genetically enhanced at birth; I would look at him/her differently. Competing in a game for instance; I would feel that my friend would have an advantage because he/she was born physically stronger than me. This procedure renders the point of reproduction pointless because parents should not create their perfect baby but instead love it for who they are.

However, if using InVitro Fertilization means ONLY using it to save a life or eliminate any hereditary diseases or disabilities and not changing physical characteristics and traits—then I would be on board with it. But then again, this procedure must be accessible to all.

The thought of selecting children’s genes are intriguing. However, this topic is stirring quite a bit of controversy. The arguments are both valid; but I would just leave it to evolution. This is something that many generations have “survived” without science being the answer to.



Works Cited:

Anissimov, Michael. "The Great Designer Baby Controversy of %u201909 | H Magazine." H+ Magazine. 11 June 2009. Web. 27 Nov. 2010. .

Bionet. "What Is a Designer Baby?" Bionet. Web. 27 Nov. 2010. .

"In Vitro Fertilisation." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 27 Nov. 2010. .

Johnson, Priya. "Pros and Cons of Designer Babies." Buzzle Web Portal. Web. 27 Nov. 2010. .

Pictures From:
http://www.cyberpunkreview.com/news-as-cyberpunk/designer-babies-only-in-la-for-now/

http://www.tylermedicalclinic.com/ICSI.htm


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Offshore Drilling Worth it?

Fossil fuels can be found underwater (more specifically, under the earth’s surface) because of plant and animal remains and with heat and pressure resulting in oil. The process for organisms to decompose to crude oil takes millions of years. The deeper the sea level for the drilling to occur, the more difficult conditions there are to extract the oil. The pressure is greater, the temperature of oil is greater; thus, giving the metal a bigger force.

A massive oil spill took place in the Gulf of New Mexico in the mid of April and came to an end on Sept. 19. It was recorded as the largest accidental marine oil spill in history. It is estimated that 2,604,000 gallons were being spewed out every day. The spill began on April 20^th with an explosion that killed eleven workers.

The video below explains the cause of the explosion and their three proposals on fixing the problem.

This disaster is impinging on all sea creatures and wildlife; even after the valve has been fixed. Some of the problems that the oil has caused to wildlife are:

• wildlife that are higher in a food chain will intake more oil which will is stored in their tissues(bioaccumulation)
• damage of stomach, liver and red blood cells from intake of oil
• hypothermia because of damage of feather (birds) and fur(whales)
• smaller wildlife become easy prey because their body movement.(cant like move as much because of the thick oil)
• irritation of skin
• affects their offspring
• damages marine creatures sight; may cause temporary or permanent blindness

BP, the global petroleum company that was responsible for the accident is taking full responsibility by paying for the damages. Furthermore, there are many organizations that are helping this problem.

GreenPeace USA

• going to the shore and cleaning up the shoreline and animals
• testing the waters

The Audubon Society(Centre for Birds)

• bird cleansing and rehabilitation

However, I would like to shed the spotlight on a specific organization.: Matter of Trust. Matter of Trust is a charitable organization that helps to deal with environmental situations that are happening around our world. It is also an advocate of renewable resources. Currently, they are focusing on a program called, Hair Mat Oil Spill Program. The organization asks for hair clippings and nylons. By obtaining the hair; they can be weaved into mats that soak up oil and made into hair “booms” which contains the oil spill; keeping oil from spreading.

But because of human interaction, oil has become a major necessity for humans. Unfortunately, the environmental affects of oil drilling are alarming .e.g risks of oil spills, tsunami etc. Rather than wasting time, effort and money on offshore drilling that would only temporarily sustain us, we should find a long-term energy plan for the future.

Works Cited:

Sandhyarani, Ningthoujam. "Pros and Cons of Oil Drilling." Buzzle Web Portal: Intelligent Life on the Web. Buzzle. Web. 21 Oct. 2010. <http://www.buzzle.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-oil-drilling.html>.

"TIMELINE-Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill | Reuters." Business & Financial News, Breaking US & International News | Reuters.com. 03 June 2010. Web. 21 Oct. 2010. <http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0322326220100603>.

"Cause Of Gulf Of Mexico Deepwater Oil Spill." Business Insider. 29 Apr. 2010. Web. 21 Oct. 2010. <http://www.businessinsider.com/gulf-of-mexico-deepwater-horizon-oil-spill-2010-4>.

"Effects of Oil on Wildlife." Australian Maritime Safety Authority. Web. 21 Oct. 2010. <http://www.amsa.gov.au/marine_environment_protection/educational_resources_and_information/teachers/the_effects_of_oil_on_wildlife.asp>.

Pictures from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aj_mna5lckg

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