A Designer Baby is defined as “a baby whose genetic makeup has been artificially selected by genetic engineering combined with in vitro fertilization to ensure the presence or absence of particular genes or characteristics.” This is a term made its entry into the Oxford English Dictionary in 2004. This term is ONLY used by journalists, NOT scientist. Now, what I like to do is, state the pros and cons of “designer babies” and express my thoughts on it!
Pros!
“Designer Babies” have given doctors and parents the ability to genetically screen embryos for any genetic disorders. Genetic screening has made it possible to eliminate genes connected with several genetic defects and terminal illness. Genetic screening can reduce the baby's chances of being born with serious diseases like Down syndrome, Facial hypercholesterolemia, and rare blood disorders such as Diamond Black fan Anaemia. This is a huge advantage to our society! It gives scientists an advantage at finding an illness or defect in a child and giving them a second chance at life before they are even born!
Adam Nash was the world's first known designer baby born by the revolutionary pre-implantation process in the year 2000. Scientists genetically selected his embryo so that he would possess the right cells to save his dying sister's life. His sister suffered from Franconia’s anaemia (blood disorder), and the chances of Adam getting that disorder was also very high. An embryo was chosen, which did not have Franconia’s anaemia. Adam became a donor to his sister, which doubled her chances of survival, and eventually saved her life.
Cons!
During the process, a technique that is used to screen embryos for any genetic diseases called ‘Pre-implantation process’ is not limited to screening for genetic and hereditary disorders, but is also used for cosmetic reasons. What this means is, basically CREATING an embryo that will turn out EXACTLY the way you want it. This happens to tie in with the struggle with the media constantly controlling our physical image.
Dr Jeff Steinburg, Director of the Los Angeles Fertility Institute, who played a major role in the world's first test tube baby in 1978, stated that, “by using pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), parents can choose the gender, eye, and skin and hair color of the baby. Various other physical traits such as intelligence, beauty, height, stopping a propensity towards obesity, freedom from mental illnesses, athletic ability, etc. can be also determined.”
In conclusion...When I first began to read about Designer babies, I realized how the root of this idea was strongly influenced by the pressure from the media. Thanks to magazines, celebrities, movies, TV shows, the latest fashions and brand names, etc, we as humans feel that to look or act as certain way that would at the least bit contrast with the latest “human” is plain out not acceptable. I felt that the amount of pressure and negativity spit out from the media was bad enough to influence many young teens and children, but I didn’t think it would have gone far enough to affecting an embryo in a mother’s womb. Coming from a childhood where I was brought up, as a Christian, to respect myself for who I am and not judging those around me by their physical features, I find it very outrageous that parents and doctors feel it’s necessary to choose their child’s eye and hair colour. We shouldn’t be fiddling with the miracle of God. Although, scientists and doctors have used this technique towards disorders and illnesses, I don’t feel that it should be taken to the next level by rearranging ones physical appearance!
Where I got the help:
http://singularityhub.com/2009/02/25/designer-babies-like-it-or-not-here-they-come/
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-designer-babies.html
