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Argumentative Essay On Designer Babies

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Recent developments in genetic engineering has lead the idea of “designer babies” out of science fiction and into our reality. But, is is fair to risk the life of an unborn child for the selfish desires of the parents? This is what the “designer baby” dispute is all about. While health issues are often the major focal point in the debate, social and moral issues play roles as well. It is understandable that it may seem incredible to have the ability to choose the traits of a child before it is born, however for the use of non-medical purposes, the dangers greatly exceed any advantages imaginable.
It is important to first understand what kind of procedures go into the creation of a designer baby in order to understand the debate against the …show more content…

Yet another social issue deals with gender imbalance that could result from the technology. While “supporters accuse critics of exaggerating the threat posed by gender imbalance,” (“Gender Selection of Babies”) it can hardly be said to be exaggerated. It is true, with the possibility of designer babies comes the possibility of an imbalance in gender ratio. Supporters of the creation of genetically altered babies argue that couples don’t tend to choose one gender over another, that the choices are fairly equal. More goes into their decision than just personal preference, cultural influences also impact the decisions they make. An example of such is the major gender imbalance in China and other parts of Asia. Already, before the ability to design children to fit the wishes of the parents is even available, there is a noticeable difference between the number of boys and girls born. Based on cultural background and influences, the male gender is seen as more powerful, the head of the household, and all around more preferable than females. This has been shown in how girls are treated in comparison to …show more content…

Not only would there be risks to the child being born, but there would be “the risk of harm to both the mother and offspring”. Thus the mother would not only be putting her unborn child into harm’s way but also herself. Consequences include “gestational diabetes, fetal growth restriction, and preeclampsia as well as premature birth”. “Furthermore, the authors say there are also concerns surrounding the long-term health of children” “they note that these children may have higher blood pressure, adiposity, glucose levels, and more generalized vascular abnormalities” (Whiteman). Other problems to be aware of include the fact that “many genes have more than one effect” and traits chosen may be “influenced by multiple genes.” When the genes are modified to fit the specifications of the parents, the scientist could inadvertently mess something up only to pay the consequences later. Additionally, during the processes of modifying the traits the genes are introduced “at random places in the genome”. Concerns should come from the possibility that the genes could “arrive in the target genome in a way that disrupts the function of another gene crucial for survival” (Agar). Future health concerns include the diversity, or lack of diversity, of “the gene pool and human genetics” that could “lead to a major percentage of the human race being wiped out completely by some major disease”

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