Advanced and reproductive technologies allow parents and doctors to screen embryos for genetic disorders and select healthy embros. Thanks to our rapid advances in science and technology, the use of genetic technologies to ‘modify’ embryos b choosing desirable or cosmetic characteristics in the future is not surprising at all, however disturbing. These genetically modified offspring are what we call, ‘Designer Babies’.
Now how does this process work? Well, first, the parents choose the favourable traits for the baby to receive. Then through genetic engineering combined with in vitro fertilization, the presence or absence of particular genes or characteristics is ensured. Being able to get rid of potential genetic disorders is a great thing, right?
Many disorders around the world are caused by hereditary factors and by getting rid of these unwanted genes; we actually save countless lives around the world. However, like everything in the world, there is also a downside to this process. First of all, I (and I’m quite sure that a lot of people would agree) strongly believe that using Science to play god would be taking it too far. Secondly, the demand for “designer babies” might result in (sorf of) an “arms race”, where parents would compete to get a better child. And of course, not everybody can afford the price of altering your child’s genes...so what happens to those who give birth to normal, unaltered children then? Because of this massive differences in this new generation, discrimination would most likely be present between ‘unenhanced children’ and designer babies; where the designer babies view the unenhanced ones as inferior organisms.
In the long run, designer babies could also pose as a threat to humanity. The rise of identical, perfect children would result in a huge drop in the biodiversity of human beings. And although this sounds unpleasant, the Earth is currently overpopulated and we're using far too much of our resources. So preventing genetic-related deaths actually only worsen out situation.
Its true that the idea of modifying babies is amazing. However, I think that it has far too much cons. The idea of "designer babies" conflicts a lot with moral values as well as humanity's future.
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Sources:
In the long run, designer babies could also pose as a threat to humanity. The rise of identical, perfect children would result in a huge drop in the biodiversity of human beings. And although this sounds unpleasant, the Earth is currently overpopulated and we're using far too much of our resources. So preventing genetic-related deaths actually only worsen out situation.
Its true that the idea of modifying babies is amazing. However, I think that it has far too much cons. The idea of "designer babies" conflicts a lot with moral values as well as humanity's future.
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Sources:
- http://www.bionetonline.org/english/content/db_cont1.htm
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Designer_baby
- http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/agar.html
- http://www.buzzle.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-designer-babies.html
Comments:
As science continues to advance I can already see a situation where technology far outpaces the morals and ethics related to them. Already manipulation and use of stem cells today remains a controversial issue. I agree that abuse of such technology would be disastrous to the human race. Inevitably however, i also find that the genetic technologies will eventually be developed and pursued in the name of medical science.
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