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
Comments:
http://alexsbioblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/designer-babies.html
http://waynebioblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-sisters-keeper-designer-babies.html
I had no idea that the cost of this genetic research was so expensive. This does make me look a bit differently on whether "desginer babies" are worth it. I do believe that parents should not try to make the "perfect child", after all nobody is perfect and their children would have an unfair advantage. This in a way is taking the whole designer babies issue to a whole new level. Parents should love their child and show uncondtional love no matter what.
ReplyDeleteI found your post to be extremely insightful. Your comment "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.", makes me think of designer babies in a whole new light.
I agree with you, using this technology as a means of saving lives and curing illnesses would be great (especially if it were available for everyone). But I am also hesitant about it because society would be affected severely. I imagine that if I ever meet someone who was genetically enhanced, I probably wouldn't even think of him or her as a human. But then again, I won't know until it actually happens.
ReplyDeleteIt's good that you mentioned evolution. We've been adapting naturally for years and years, and if the use of genetic enhancement/modification increases, then I worry that it will be disrupted.
Very informative post Fionna. You bring up a very good point: 'in our society, people with genetic defects are already treated unequally'. All these biases against enhanced beings as well as non-enhanced beings will just begin piling up and piling up; and as humans, we definitely don't need more reasons to judge one another.
ReplyDeleteI agree with only using these techniques for health reasons. And about the matter of accessibility—who knows? Perhaps someday, being able to rid your children of hereditary diseases will become less expensive many years from now, as is the nature of technology. It might even become a necessity or a mandatory part of the pre-natal screening process.