Designer Babies
In bio we were discussing Designer Babies.
Designer Babies are the basically a generation of babies where humans will be able to pick and choose certain characteristics about our babies. We will be able to look at the chromosomes and genes that make up our babies and incline them to do whatever we want. (Athletic, Artistic etc. etc.)
This research originally started when humans were looking for the certain chromosomes/genes that are the cause of disease. After removing the right chromosomes you can now have a baby who is asthma free and whatnot.
Pros
- We can eliminate current diseases
- Our babies will already have a controlled advantage amongst others in society.
- There will never be a job shortage among society because we can incline our babies with certain skills.
- We’d be fulfilling our obligation to our country by providing a people with skills that will move the country foreword.
- The next step in evolution and natural selection by creating a super race.
- We can create a 'super race' of thinkers who in turn could potentially discover new sources of power, transportation, philosophers, mathematicians. etc. (Think of it as an X number of Stephen Hawking)
- Able to increase/decrease the national population at will
Cons
- Essentially we’re causing genocide
- We can’t truly stop disease. It’s inevitable.
- Less variation among society (we are more vulnerable to new diseases)
- There will be a large division. A super race and regular humans.
- Eliminates freedom/individuality before birth.
- Less chances of abortion, abuse, or abandonment
- Inconsiderate to the overall population of the world
- Incites violence towards modified and non-modified people
- Life would be unnecessarily harder and more competitive for those non-modified
- (Will only be available to wealthy people.)
Controversial Issues
- Playing God
A lot of people believe that playing with genetics and designer babies in general can be considered playing God. There are many reasons why this cannot be claimed as a valid reason. For example, what about the people who aren’t Catholic or don’t believe in a God whatsoever? Secondly, who is to say that God is purely belief or fact? People can’t even give you a clear description of what God is because, after all, you’d have to be God yourself to explain what God is.
If designer babies can be considered playing God, how come nobody wages war against modern medicine? We prevent death everyday. Can’t that be considered playing God?
- “It’s not natural”
If I gave you two choices. One baby who was almost certainly going to grow up with Leukemia and was going to die only two years after birth. The other choice is genetically modified and the chromosomes and genes which cause the cancer were removed. Which one would you pick? By picking the second choice you know that you’re giving someone a chance to live. You’re giving someone in actuality, life and you know that by taking away these cancer-causing chromosomes you will give this baby a chance. This genetically modified baby isn’t natural but would you be for it if you could save the baby’s life?
- “We’d start to become products of the industry”
Don’t you think you’re already a product of the industry? Everything you’re interested in and everything you want to be and possess is because of Canada’s society. The environment and society that you’re exposed to and have been exposed to your whole life has shaped who you are. There is no arguing that. And even though it is hard to believe everyone who you think has influenced you has also been influenced by the media and environment around them in one way shape or form. Is it just me; or has dancing becoming increasingly more popular in the past decade. From movies like You Got Served, Step Up, Take the Lead, Stomp the Yard etc. New programs on TV, such as, So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing with the Stars, etc. Your interests are shaped and influenced by what you’re exposed to as oppose to someone in South Amercia or Europe. So, aren’t you already a product of the industry? What’s the difference if your child is?
That’s all I have for now. Feel free to make your own argument, pros/cons etc. I want to see what people think about this issue because more than likely, it will be on the rise during our lifetime. So, let’s keep adding to this document.