Advanced reproductive technologies have enabled doctors and parents to screen embryos for genetic disorders and select healthy embryos, the process known as Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis. PGD also involves In-Vitro Fertilization, IVF; fertilization of an egg outside the human body. PGD is when a practitioner removes one or two cells from an embryo and test them for specific disorders/characteristics before the embryo transfer takes place.
Things are getting out of hand with human research into genetic processes. It’s like humankind will never be satisfied with what they have and will always want more. Their ambitious aims towards researching science and genetic process can be very beneficial for the future, but is it really ethical for doctors and parents to create designer babies? With enhanced physical ability and appearance tailored to fit parents desires, doctors and parents are practically playing the role of God in this situation. They are perfecting a child and modifying it to satisfy their wants.
If accepted, think about how society may suffer from genetic engineering. Being a designer baby could develop into a huge trend. If everybody were to give into the hype and edit the characteristics of their children to perfection it will soon become the norm of society. This is only gonna result in an increase of unreasonable fear or hatred towards foreigners or anyone who strike a different appearance. The people with genetic defects will be excluded from society and be frowned upon. Kids coming from rich families will receive this genetic enhancement, having a huge advantage over the other, "normal" children.
Eugenics could be the ending result of 'designer babies'. Eugenics could be defined as the study or belief in the possibility of improving the qualities of the human species or a human population via. selective breeding. By such, means discouraging reproduction by persons who carry genetic defects or presumed to have inheritable, undesirable traits. The advent of designer babies will drastically effect biodiversity. The question is brought up, which skin colour and physical features should be chosen? Traits of the child are completely dependent on the parents; this eliminates any say that child has over his or her life. Parents who are passionate about sports would have the athletic ability engineered into the child, although the child may not want the same. Designer babies would reduce the child’s freedom to choose.
In terms of biodiversity, we can never predict the arrival of a new virus or disease. In designer babies, the mutation may cause the out break of a new virus or disease because of their artificial design. If one designer baby becomes ill, chances are the other will suffer as well.
Genetic engineering should not be tampered with. It’s complex and any mistake made can alter the lives of many. I feel like nobody should even attempt to play the role of God, we should let nature’s course take place and just let things be. Designer babies aren’t ethical, wouldn’t be beneficial for society, biodiversity and for the children themselves. Just like how some things are better left unsaid, let nature take its course, leave genetic engineering for the sperm head.
References:
http://www.hfea.gov.uk/glossary_p.html
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/273415-overview
http://www.bionetonline.org/english/content/db_cont1.htm
http://www.readersdigest.ca/mag/2001/09/designer_babies.html
http://www.advancedfertility.com/ivfprocedures.htm
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