Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Designer Babies #smh


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.


Process of Genetic Screening^


There’s a fear that in the future we may be able to use genetic technologies to modify embryos and choose desired characteristics for babies such as blue eyes over brown. The term to describe this fear is “designer babies”.


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.


Parents deciding on the characteristics of their child^


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



Images used:


http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.theage.com.au/ffxImage/urlpicture_id_1047145003009_2003/03/12/genetics2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/03/11/1047144972401.html&usg=__IeGujtkxP6qYjKDhBBzAeLdIXto=&h=320&w=370&sz=14&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=CemVdLNeGb83fM:&tbnh=163&tbnw=189&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddesigner%2Bbabies%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D609%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C314&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=732&vpy=83&dur=2003&hovh=209&hovw=241&tx=182&ty=110&ei=dqTRTMGBEoHvcK-j8OUL&oei=2KDRTKavD4m-sAPmn-SWCw&esq=9&page=1&ndsp=11&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:0&biw=1280&bih=609


http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQhSBqf3VQiUt8zvnzrHjtK_V3q5qim2QIb7Yh2srdk9pLh5oA&t=1&usg=__JyCcutwjQduBMaXI-bqRD_TaSUA=


Comments:

http://bioblog-erica.blogspot.com/2010/11/bundle-of-joy.html?showComment=1288896479672_AIe9_BFFC37t_y1-laKRcJuz6VecJzsl9SfpfgGmjxgUMxQz9MQ87FJAtala81p6T7yLoKQoBYBVdCldwXjNb-kYaW8W7IQw_Du0sfwCxMrIV7Dw0gz88sdg5otrXzzrl4mcce_8IZ4WGP5j9OQ5gTcXkwk-DT30KZ6VkdcbqfaYbBsoDkjj_GKliXdCcrNDFZKVFIjlnZKQdTL3EDUGuEB70cQnjwC7jgJOfGYpCfvmkXbXA8BjI3fAohWcMr5MNBD8dS-iHgtTVsQDxqXTTBRZexaD60mbJEHwJintnKAEfgKAH0x5AsHbz73sPBSRXVFl4zNcmh_pdrEjLFf1TjjqcqFaqNnzxlEH99OcnrkG96z9isdnYzTlwcfVyl2EEQW8INwjvaMhDpm-sxGltGNjxGB-4k0_ai4ZfKHHb5RuVAEktpPS_HulFFZEqZhvPwWl73L7s0Y6FKYSpJHBqDJub0RqQS_0keroudVdCLKfk3XzefSB_fKR7K07UcVQK7kWYSekMZlZ39QHzb6CLjEJF5ed4o77fUhcT3frPd4iv6arFGnAjriJ1ae51TeKI06lhMDveGjt8qou_t8FdYhxCD79CxLYwStWpn_p_VIdo9vVzRHT8E3ZX3YlDbjs4FpHkwcOAGwYusEftz1oYqK9GMlPk3tFpC3ABz59T1U7b0Ae8Nr-qu3apByglPnZBZ8Xz-qVj7m5EGacuEIDbl4Gu5V7ilrI3SJxwMAuLEyjJYDfHwcqdUheYHiOddqsoF5UpC5jLHG9_erZUsOdSCA2Pic4Gu1sITG6XXgK6CYuwFZlGaJF6JsGztiB3cLW3zW5nF2lnPOiAHNQ8Cw3IGVTVMaUBgEfRhgTroqb89sPaLnl-jQ6pYlwzebkpggYZLTZUmc-n65cYwoA92FA5iQVVs5DkB6tC8Gt9yvCsANCrsq77_0HPKQ8Lg52rI6OQElAebD8tAd3P2GhpLiMw23wNuCKLaz3q9a09MD4FF1NI0FAigv0lP4N7gD6apwA36TmOJ--hyOU0p7EmebJrddbd1yqB6Pw--1NYJsgy1KijZD_-IhLe43VAb3s3sDAnZOsFQlYTYtk#c6404528087595162116


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16 comments:

  1. Its relieving to know that we have the same insight on this situation. Instead of investing their time and money on enhancing their baby, a more logical method is to educate their child so they can develop into what they wish for them to become. I agree with what you said about how humankind will never be satisfied with what they have. It's like saying that we do not qualify as the ideal person so we are compelled to flatter ourselves with things that we do not have. This procedure of altering genes could potentially change human species.

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  2. Hey Marc! It's nice to read about what you've wrote. I agree with what you've wrote especially about "If one designer baby becomes ill, chances are the other will suffer as well." Because basically designer baby is like a machine that does everything for you baby and how you would want your baby to look like and what not. And I think that if the doctors or scientist make a mistake on this "designer baby" machine there's a highly chances that the parents would be disappointed because their baby turned out different and not going to be the same as they would want it to turn out. I think that parents should just keep their baby the way they are and how they would look like when they're born and not use "designer babies" because I think that it would cost a lot of money when it comes to paying. Parents should just take how their kids would look like and not be disappointed because not everyone has a perfect look! Everyone has different looks and acts!

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  3. You have created outstanding points regarding designer babies. I agree full-heartedly that Scientists are playing God in this situation. Humans like you said, should simply let nature take its course and leave it be. Why wouldn't parents let the child control his/her own life? I believe that parents should leave children to have potential learning, growth and development skills. The best thing about this is that everything is all natural and not artificial. The child would develop into a well-rounded individual naturally. You brought up a great point where you talked about how humans will never be pleased and will always crave for more. Humans are so blinded by always trying to be better than others that it was taken to whole different level. All in all, this blog entry has given me greater insights about ‘designer babies’.

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  4. You do have a stead view on the genetic engineering and I do support your point, with that kind of desire, human are building the "Babylon" again which might result to the collapse of ethics and humanity.
    On the other hand, it is helping people who are suffering the genetic disorder, also somehow, less inherit defects may redeemed, tho there are some portion that it might mutate to from different structure, but only for the virus.
    Overall,there is no way on identifying whether it is going to help people or making harm. And the only way is to reduce and try to redeem the use of such tech still there is definite answer.

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  5. First off, great blog post! Your stance on designer babies was made very clear, and it's obvious that you're extremely confident in your opinions! Kudos to you!

    There was something that I found very insightful in your blog, which was when you said: Kids coming from rich families will receive this genetic enhancement, having a huge advantage over the other, "normal" children.

    I have to admit, I have never thought about designer babies this way, and it definitely broadened my perspective.

    The visuals were also appropriate that made your point, and they made me laugh, so that was great.

    Thanks for a great post!

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  6. I can agree with you when you stated that things are getting out of hand with this genetic process. The generation that we are living in today seems to keep wanting more and more. What we have in our possessions is never enough and we are never satisfied with what we have. That is the same thing that is happening with Designer Babies. Parents are not “satisfied” with God’s creation. That is basically saying that these parents are not satisfied with what they are bringing to this earth. They have to remake and remodel their baby so he or she is perfect in their eyes. I also think that a strong point in your blog is when you said that the social classes will become even more segregated than it is today. Kids who have genetic defects will be so different looking than the kids with the genetic enhancement. At the end of the day, I don’t think humankind should be going against what God has created for us. With this technology, we are not letting “nature take its course.” Great article marc :)

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  7. At least I know where you stand in this.

    Genetic engineering isn't all custom eyes and personality, I think. After all, they did more research in terms of genetic diseases than genetic enhancement.

    I also understand what you're saying with the parental wealth of the designer baby. They could totally end up resurrecting the caste systems again. Horrible.

    Fun rant, Marc.

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  8. You've really expanded on the social implications of this issue. Good job.

    I feel like it's a bit too early to completely say no to designer babies. After all, they have a lot to offer to us medically, despite their lack of biodiversity.

    Reading your post, however, made me pretty fearful about their place should they ever come to be the norm. With all that you've said, I don't think we're ready for them, nor should we even consider integrating them into society just yet (especially when there's already so many babies being born into impoverished homes daily).

    You made your stance on this issue pretty clear. I enjoyed reading your post!

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  9. I agree on most of your argument, I think that it is wrong for us humans to play the role of God. It is not our job to decide if a child should be born healthy and the other one to be born diseased. Though genetic altering could be helpful for couples that are not fertile enough to have their own babies and using IVF could solve that problem. I think you never thought about the advantages of genetic altering.

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  10. I agree with all your points Marc. I believe that we'll never be truly satisfied with our appearances and that altering characteristics of you child will just make these matters worse. I also believe that it could totally mess up the diversity of different physical appearances as many people's 'ideal' view of what a person should look like, due to the media, may be the same.

    You're post was interesting and I enjoyed reading it.

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  11. Dude, as much as like eliminating all threats to humanity in the future, designer babies are just wrong. Its totally against God, and as a catholic i am very concerned. Good post. #based

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  12. I think that your point biodiversity is very true. I never even thought of that. More scientific research only leads to more discoveries, good and bad. You never know, maybe this whole designer baby thing is a plan to turn the human population into zombies....


    But on a serious note, very good post. I believe that the only person that has a decision on how your child should turn out is God. There's nobody on this planet that has the right to take the responsibility of God.

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  13. I really like your post!

    I am glad to see that you're against "designer babies" since it having more opinions on a topic is always good. I do agree with you when you say that humans shouldn't play the role of God and how designer babies would probably be living in the shadow of expectations set for them by their parents. I also agree with you when you say that there may be the discrimination of "normal" humans to the designer babies.

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  14. This is a pretty BOMB post you got here Marc.

    But I have to disagree with you on one point. You claim "Eugenics" can end the process of genetic manipulation. In fact, this is the same method HITLER attempted to use to recreate the super-race of Aryans. The strategy he used to discourage reproduction of people with undesriable traits was to torch them in gas chambers. Eugenics is basically discontinuing an individuals way of life and I'd rather have the method of designers babies instead.

    I really enjoyed reading this. THANK YOU BASED GOD.

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  15. Great blog Marc! I totally agree on what you're trying to say here. I myself think that scientists shouldn't be playing the role of God and changing how babies turn out into. Parents should really just understand the qualities of what we are born with. It's a great point when you say humans are never satisfied with what we are given! And it's so true. We really need to accept the goodness of what God gives us. All in all, it was a very interesting post to read about Designer Babies, Marc. Excellent job!

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  16. Few days ago I was reading a child with three parents. A DNA reformation is involved in that case. Three persons DNA take part to design one human's DNA. This scenario can be use to cure for some genetic disease even.
    benenden

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