Judging from the two methods mentioned above, I am somewhat in favour of the ethically and socially impacts the process used to create a designer baby causes in the society. From an ethical stand point, I would like to say that I strongly agree with the idea of removing the disease-causing genes. This way, the baby will grow up to be healthy and won’t need to worry about a family history of diseases it will bring upon its descendants. Also, I think that it is a good idea for those parents who would want to save their child, who has inherited a serious disease, by allowing the practice of PGD on their child to another. Although that option is quite possible, it does concern me to imagine anyone who would give birth to a precious baby just to have them donate to their older sibling. I think it’s ethically wrong to play with one’s life just because they have the power to do so. In addition, I find it morally wrong how people will come up with such an idea behind the whole PGD process to create another feature that can be applied to the embryo to change certain characteristics inherited in a child such as the colour of their eyes, skins, hairs, etc..
Are you getting frustrated from reading all of this? Don’t you think it’s immorally wrong to perform such acts in the first place? Sure, we can help save millions of lives; but what about those who find this new technology beneficial? But do you realize how this one technology would unbalance the society; it would be having a new race of ‘super humans’! The babies will grow up to be perfect beings with shocking characteristics that will set a border between those who lack those abilities. The idea of designing a perfect being is wrong because people should treat each other with dignity for who they are despite the ability they lack to become perfect beings.
In the end, this technology to me seems like it can be publically acceptable but at the same time, I would not agree for it to be used to differentiate others because that would destroy the primary purpose of this wonderful technology.
Above:
" Bird 1: What are you carrying?
Bird 2: The same thing you're carrying; a tube from a lab used to design babies."
Above:
"Go home and install this program and play around with itand let us know which baby you would prefer!"
Sources:
http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/agar.html
http://www.bionetonline.org/english/content/db_cont1.htm
http://www.prochoiceforum.org.uk/ocrreliss7.php
Picture References:
http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/t/test_tube_babies.asp
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/03/02/2009-03-02_custommade_babies_delivered_fertility_cl.html
Blogs I've Commented On:
http://patrick-bioblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/shopping-for-traits.html
http://jayy-tan.blogspot.com/2010/11/its-like-plastic-surgery-for-babies.html
Very informative post Cindy!
ReplyDeleteYou described the process of In Vitro Fertilization and Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis very clearly.
I agree with you; I think that using IVF along with PGD to create a healthy baby is morally right. Any parent would want their child to be healthy. Without this method, the parents might blame themselves to pass on their disease to their child.
I think the other two uses of this technique are ethically wrong. As you stated, it is hard to imagine a parent creating a child in order to save another one. The genetically modified baby is also a human! Parents shouldn’t plan the child’s future and goal even before they are born! Modifying the characteristics of a child may indeed develop “super humans” as you stated.
Let’s hope they don’t get too carried away with this new technology!
I agree with the idea of the technology and your opinion on the topic. The sole purpose of it should be to ensure the delivery of a healthy child and not to change its physical characteristics.
ReplyDeleteYour blog highlights the fact that eventually, the society would be changed if this technology becomes popular. I also noticed that you mentioned "super humans" potentially becoming a new race in the future. This could become a reality if more people use IVF and PGD other than health reasons!
I share the same views as you; even though everyone has insecurities and dislikes about themselves, we should learn to be satisfied with the face,body,hair etc. that we do have. That being said, parents should not change their baby's looks before they even get a chance to see them!