Designer Babies Essay

777 Words2 Pages

Designer Babies
Insert name
Institution

Designer Babies
Designer babies are defined by the Oxford dictionary as those whose genetic makeup has been artificially selected through genetic engineering, combined with the In Vitro Fertilization, to ensure that particular genes or characteristics are either included or excluded in the baby. This process involves the fertilization of the egg by the sperm in a test tube which is outside the womb of the mother and alteration of the genes (Masha, 2009). The process of selection of traits and characteristics of children is also referred to as Pre-implementation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD). The process involves checking the embryo for genetic deficiencies before it is returned to the womb of the mother. The purpose of the process is noble as it is generally aimed at eradicating genetic disorders and diseases (Yin, 2005). However, the question on when the human race will draw the line in regards to the alteration of the genes is a big issue. Who will stop the rich families, as this is an expensive procedure, from using this method to change their children’s genes and have them at an advantage against other children? The designer child debate is a raging debate with more concerns of sidestepping nature as to how it could change the society as we know it today (Ronald, 2007).
Ethical considerations into the designer babies’ debate are placed on the basis of the effects that the procedure will have on the baby and the society. Families who are able to afford these procedures are few, and this will increase the disparity between the social classes (Ronald, 2007). Further, there will be an effect on the assortment of the gene pool as well as human genetics, which may lead to a...

... middle of paper ...

...ns to both arguments, allowing genetic engineering and the concept of designer babies will bring benefits to the human race (Yin, 2005). However, like any other technological advancement, it should be effectively and closely monitored and controlled to ensure that it not used to put some individuals at an advantage and others at a disadvantage. It should be used solely for the eradication of serious human conditions and diseases.

References
Masha, G. (2009). From Inherited Illness to Designer Babies, How the World and I Found Ourselves in the Future of the Gene. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Ronald, M. (2007). Babies by Design: The Ethics of Genetic Choice. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Yin, R. (2005). Designer Babies: The Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Undergraduate Research Journal, 34-45.

Show More
Related

  • Neo-Eugenics The Social and Biological Ethics of Designer Babies

    1586 Words  | 4 Pages

    Catalano, Michael. "The Prospect of Designer Babies: Is It Inevitable?" The People, Ideas, and Things (PIT) Journal. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2014.

    Read More

  • Designer Babies: Disease Free or New Child

    937 Words  | 2 Pages

    After the discovery of genetically altering an embryo before implantation, “designer babies” was coined to describe a child genetically altered “to ensure specific intellectual and cosmetic characteristics.” (“Designer Babies” n.p.). This procedure combines genetic engineering and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) to make sure certain characteristics are absent or present in an embryo (Thadani n.p.). The procedure also includes taking an embryo to be pre-implementation genetically diagnosed (PGD), another procedure that doctors use to screen the embryos (Stock n.p.). An embryo’s DNA goes through multiple tests to obtain an analysis of the embryo, which will list all the components of the embryo including genetic disorders and physical traits such as Down syndrome, blue eyes, and brown hair, for instance (Smith 7). Although the use of PGD is widely accepted by the “reproductive medical community” and the modifying of disorders or diseases is to a degree, once the characteristics are no longer health related “72% disapprove of the procedure” (“Designer Babies” n.p.). At this point the parents make decisions that would alter their child’s life forever and this decision is rather controversial in the U...

    Read More

  • Building Baby From The Genes Up Analysis

    1050 Words  | 3 Pages

    From designer purses to designer shoes, each one is created single handedly by one person, or the designer. Shaping and molding an item to their specific standards. Through advances in genetic modification scientists have now been able to change, or design an embryotic cell to remove some hereditary genes. Through Richard Hayes’s, Genetically Modified Humans? No Thanks, and Ronald Green’s, Building Baby from the Genes Up, they both touch on the negative and positives of genetically modifying human traits in an embryotic cell. Hayes’s article is a critique of Greens but also provides many key argumentative point again the use of genetic modification. Having access to the technology and knowledge to provide children with either less of a chance or no changes to receive hereditary diseases like cancer makes the case of using genetic modification

    Read More

  • Designer Babies Case Study

    1264 Words  | 3 Pages

    In recent years, great advancement has been made in medicine and technology. Advanced technologies in reproduction have allowed doctors and parents the ability to screen for genetic disorders (Suter, 2007). Through preimplantation genetic diagnosis, prospective parents undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) can now have their embryo tested for genetic defects and reduce the chance of the child being born with a genetic disorder (Suter, 2007). This type of technology can open the door and possibility to enhance desirable traits and characteristics in their child. Parents can possibly choose the sex, hair color and eyes or stature. This possibility of selecting desirable traits opens a new world of possible designer babies (Mahoney,

    Read More

  • Designer Babies: Genetic Engineering

    1017 Words  | 3 Pages

    What do one think of when they hear the words “Designer Babies”? A couple designing their own baby of course, and it’s become just that. Technology has made it possible for there to be a way for doctors to modify a babies characteristics and its health. Genetically altering human embryos is morally wrong, and can cause a disservice to the parents and the child its effecting.

    Read More

  • The Ethics of Genetic Engineering: Designer Babies

    913 Words  | 2 Pages

    Genetic engineering is nothing new. “Genetic engineering refers to a set of technologies that are being used to change the genetic makeup of cells and move genes across species boundaries to produce novel organisms.” (“What is Genetic Engineering?”). Using genetic engineering will allow parents to choose what traits their child will have. For example, the color of the child’s eyes, skin and hair will be decided. As well as, choosing the height of the baby and weight it will be able to be. Scientists are also finding ways to eliminate diseases in babies, “in February, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) met to consider conducting clinical trials to test out genetic manipulation techniques to prevent mitochondrial disease from occurring in offspring.” (Ghose). With all the advancements science has made, being able to cure and vaccinate against diseases isn’t much of a shock. But when will the ethics come into ...

    Read More

  • Genetic Enhancement is Unethical

    1603 Words  | 4 Pages

    Picture a young couple in a waiting room looking through a catalogue together. This catalogue is a little different from what you might expect. In this catalogue, specific traits for babies are being sold to couples to help them create the "perfect baby." This may seem like a bizarre scenario, but it may not be too far off in the future. Designing babies using genetic enhancement is an issue that is gaining more and more attention in the news. This controversial issue, once thought to be only possible in the realm of science-fiction, is causing people to discuss the moral issues surrounding genetic enhancement and germ line engineering. Though genetic research can prove beneficial to learning how to prevent hereditary diseases, the genetic enhancement of human embryos is unethical when used to create "designer babies" with enhanced appearance, athletic ability, and intelligence.

    Read More

  • Designer Babies: What is Ethical?

    992 Words  | 2 Pages

    Imagine a parent walking into what looks like a conference room. A sheet of paper waits on a table with numerous questions many people wish they had control over. Options such as hair color, skin color, personality traits and other physical appearances are mapped out across the page. When the questions are filled out, a baby appears as he or she was described moments before. The baby is the picture of health, and looks perfect in every way. This scenario seems only to exist in a dream, however, the option to design a child has already become a reality in the near future. Parents may approach a similar scenario every day in the future as if choosing a child’s characteristics were a normal way of life. The use of genetic engineering should not give parents the choice to design their child because of the act of humans belittling and “playing” God, the ethics involved in interfering with human lives, and the dangers of manipulating human genes.

    Read More

  • Differences Between Genetic Therapy And Genetic Enhancement

    1282 Words  | 3 Pages

    Some objections to my statements above is Eugenics. If genetic engineering were used to stop having children that had some diseases, such as down syndrome, or were deaf, then the use of genetic engineering would soon “eliminate” this grouping of people. For example if someone were having a child but wanted to be screened to see if the fetus was carrying such disease, would the parents decide to abort or to continue with the pregnancy and take care of such child with needs. But if parents wanted to see which embryo has such disease and they only want the healthy ones, would that say something about what they think about people within that community. If parents were to do that they would be seen as parents who are selfish and would not want to care for someone in need because of “how much work it is” or “how expensive” it is in order to care for such child. This is when I believe that genetic engineering should draw the line as to what it used

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Beefalo

    709 Words  | 2 Pages

    Usage of genetic modification to pick and chose features and personality traits of embryos could conceivably occur in future times. Wealthy individuals could essentially purchase a baby with built-in genetic advantages (Simmons). Ethically, these seem immoral. Playing God and taking control over the natural way of life makes some understandably uneasy. Ultimately, religious and moral standpoints should play a role in the future of genetic engineering, but not control it. Genetic engineering’s advantages far outweigh the cost of a genetically formulated baby and

    Read More

  • Designer Baby Argumentative Essay

    1645 Words  | 4 Pages

    Science is undeniably becoming apart of our everyday lives as a society. Scientists are always coming up with new ways to create life. When we procreate we should not alter the baby and its physical features. This kind of practice is also known as gene editing, or vitro fertilization, which is where you can modify or replace a gene that can change the DNA in a living organism. This kind of technology can help get rid of hereditary diseases, choose the gender and physical features of the baby, and create a savior child.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On Designer Babies

    1627 Words  | 4 Pages

    It will make diversity and uniqueness weak, everyone will be "perfect" and no one will focus on the uniqueness of human beings. The great things we may achieve will be of less value since more people will be similar and have those same abilities. Children will be less appreciated because they will be more of a product (robot) than a unique gift. Through this practice we will face the dangers of races being eliminated and our world becoming a male dominated place. Genetic modification takes away our right to create and live our own story. If we are all genetically modified our lives will all be similar and less exciting. If creating designer babies will weaken diversity and uniqueness, why should we allow it? The world will be dull and full of clones, is it worth

    Read More

  • Genetic Engineering is Immoral

    423 Words  | 1 Pages

    If a limit is not set between using genetic engineering for treatment and using genetic engineering for enhancement, then many parents could use it purely for eugenic purposes. This could cause ethical concerns but social concerns as well. If this was allowed to occur, it would also give the rich even more advantages than they already have to begin with and drive the social classes even farther apart. The use of genetic engineering may also lead to genetic discrimination. As in the movie Gattaca, a person could easily get a print-out of his or her genotype, this information could then be used by schools, employers, companies, and others; giving rise to a new form of discrimination based on a person’s genetic profile. As the world is already full of discrimination, genetic engineering would even increase the numbers of discrimination against people.

    Read More

  • Designer Babies

    895 Words  | 2 Pages

    In conclusion and my personal opinion, genetic engineering could lead to a technically better and more advanced world despite the fact that it suffers from deep moral downfalls. The main issue that causes debate seems to be if artificial superiority is a viable alternative to nature. It could work in society if people only used it for things such as evading cancer, but if a new social class is formed or people start creating super humans, it’s unquestionably a problem.

    Read More

  • Designer Babies

    2069 Words  | 5 Pages

    Children and babies today hold the future. They control what the world’s future will be like and even how their future offspring will be. Many believe that designer babies have the power to change the future and develop a new world filled with “perfect humans.” “With so little control over the situation, most expectant parents say they don’t care what their baby looks like, ‘as long as it’s healthy.’ But secretly, they often have a dream baby in mind” (Bliss, 2012, p. 5). Parents can all agree that if their child is in a healthy condition, they are happy and thankful; however, every parent is guilty of wanting a child a certain way. If a parent could alter a child to be completely healthy with no diseases or ailments, have the perfect features and have the perfect personality, any parent would go beyond any limit to fulfill this. Designer babies are believed to have the possibility to complete this; however, the assertio...

    Read More

More about Designer Babies Essay

Open Document