In theory, genetically modifying babies would seem to be a great advancement for humankind. We could have a near-Utopian world. People would be perfect; they would all be healthy and no one ‘ugly’. Preexisting health complications could be cured by ‘designer babies’. However, the definition of ‘perfect’ is differs from person to person. And not only that, but becoming so would be quite expensive. The course of humankind would change, disrupting our natural way of adapting and evolving.
This topic has stirred up much controversy, and no one seems to agree with anything. People worry that the value of humans will descend to existing merely as resources. Others worry about the misuse of this powerful technology. Even those who are for genetic modification have differences of opinions. Some disagree with modifying embryos to choose its physical appearance, while others think it should be acceptable.
To create what is called a ‘designer baby’, in-vitro fertilization is used. Each one ranges from $7,750 to $12,250 in Canadian dollars. Some parents want to diagnose any possible disorders, so they must also pay for a pre-implantation genetic diagnosis at $4,000 each. The total could go up to $30,000. Clearly, only the wealthy will be able to genetically modify their children, furthering the divide that separates the ideal, beautiful, rich of people from the middle- and lower-class people.
This topic has stirred up much controversy, and no one seems to agree with anything. People worry that the value of humans will descend to existing merely as resources. Others worry about the misuse of this powerful technology. Even those who are for genetic modification have differences of opinions. Some disagree with modifying embryos to choose its physical appearance, while others think it should be acceptable.
To create what is called a ‘designer baby’, in-vitro fertilization is used. Each one ranges from $7,750 to $12,250 in Canadian dollars. Some parents want to diagnose any possible disorders, so they must also pay for a pre-implantation genetic diagnosis at $4,000 each. The total could go up to $30,000. Clearly, only the wealthy will be able to genetically modify their children, furthering the divide that separates the ideal, beautiful, rich of people from the middle- and lower-class people.
Parents who have a baby and use it to save another child will always be questioned for their true intentions. Most likely, the ‘designed’ person will have emotional and existential problems. It shouldn’t be legal to take parts from a someone’s body without his or her matured, thought-out consent.
Then there are parents who want to control the physical outcome of their children, for cosmetic and aesthetic purposes. I see this as something along the lines of plastic surgery for your unborn baby (an exaggeration, I know). Preference of appearance, and most other things, is subjective. You may want your child to feel beautiful, so you give it blond hair and blue eyes. But what if he or she grows up wanting brown hair and green eyes? In any case, no one will ever be fully satisfied with themselves.
To those who have the resources/cash, genetic modification will probably be tempting. I hope they take the aforementioned issues into consideration. I do, however, think it would be helpful in removing fatal disorders in embryos. In other cases I believe that this just promotes inequality, and do we really need any more of that in this society?
References:
- Keim, Brandon. "Designer Babies: A Right to Choose?" Wired.com. Wired Magazine, 9 Mar. 2009. Web. 05 May 2011. <http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/03/designerdebate/>.
- "Designer Babies - for Love or Science?" MindMagazine.com. Mind Magazine. Web. 05 May 2011. <http://www.mindmagazine.com/story/designbaby.htm>.
- "Screening Could Create 'designer Babies'" CTV. 16 Nov. 2010. Web. 05 May 2011. <http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20101108/bc_ctv_investigates_making_babies_5_101108/20101116?hub=BritishColumbiaHome>.
- Keim, Brandon. "The First Genetically Modified Human Embryo: Advance or Abomination?"Wired.com. Wired Magazine, 12 May 2008. Web. 05 May 2011. <http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/05/the-first-genet/>.
- "The Costs of Fertility Treatments in Canada." BabyCenter Canada. Baby Center. Web. 05 May 2011. <http://www.babycenter.ca/baby/familyfinance/cost-of-fertility-treatments/>.
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Hi Meg,
ReplyDeleteGreat point on perfection being subjective. I also agree with your point about altering a person's body parts without their consent; it's like effectively saying that they never had a say in the first place. It looks as though there's a lot more to consider about this procedure than it appears at first.
Your post got me really thinking about the significance of what performing this procedure would mean in the long run, and I really do think that—to quote you—"The course of humankind would change, disrupting our natural way of adapting and evolving." But of course, that is a really scary thought!