Designer Babies: Good Idea?

“Designer Babies” is a term being used in the media to describe the change of characteristics for babies before birth. This is selecting and modifying the genes of the babies for desirable traits for what the parents choose. The big question that we face: is this acceptable?

Can you fill in the pieces?

Many scientists believe this process is acceptable for research. However, there has been controversy in the media. There are many people who stand against this because of ethical concerns. Although this process hasn’t been mastered yet, it will be a matter of time that scientists will be able to perform the procedure successfully. Many people believe is it wrong to modify humans as others believe it is acceptable. Society fears that it will be taken too far and eventually start choosing the traits for children.

I feel we should accept our child no matter what but this research would be able to get rid of diseases such as Down syndrome. However we can’t do any more than scan for diseases. This is PGD or Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis. PGD is done in embryos created through InVitro Fertilization, basically where an egg and sperm from the parents are taken to a lab and fertilized there. At that time it is implanted in the mother’s womb. During the period of PGD, the embryos are scanned for certain diseases. If today’s technology allows us to remove diseases, I think it is acceptable to have this.

Humorous comic

I agree that people believe it is wrong that we are choosing the traits for our babies making them perfect, rather than making them with our DNA. Designing a child for cosmetic purposes is wrong as many people would want a same child. Many races would be created causing discrimination. We should not be changing the child as we are getting a gift of life.

If this technology was created in the future, it would be abused on changing the cosmetic traits of their child. Of course they would make a perfect child to their eyes. I am for this research for the ability of removing certain diseases. However, I am not for this just to change my child’s cosmetic appearance. I would love my child for what it is. Many people are against this because it is a huge risk and waste of money. Currently, all this procedure does is that it allows us to prevent babies from diseases before pregnancy, and save lives.

References:

http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/agar.html

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/in_vitro_fertilization/article_em.htm

http://www.bionetonline.org/english/content/db_cont1.htm

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/273415-overview

Photos I used:

http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/rjo0403l.jpg

http://www.scientificamerican.com/media/inline/regulate-designer-babies_1.jpg

Blogs I commented:
Patricia Relatado
Dora Lam