Argumentative Essay On Designer Babies

There have been technological advancements in the recent years, and the majority of countries in the world has witnessed this. One of the most interesting advancements in the biomedical sector has been the invention of designer babies. Designer babies refer to a wide range of reproductive techniques such as replacing versions of genes linked to certain diseases and enhancing certain attributes in a baby. These adjustments, however, are not ethically right since God’s work is termed to be perfect.

We are living is a world where very soon it will be possible for people to create ‘designer babies’ that have all the features they wish for. In the article Building Baby from the Genes Up, Ronald M. Green talks about all the positive impacts that genetic modification of human beings can have on our future generations. Green acknowledges some of the negatives such as parents creating perfect children and being able to give them any trait the parent wants. However in the end he comes to the conclusion that the positive impacts of getting rid of genes that cause obesity, cancer, learning disorders, and many other diseases and disorders, outweighs the negative aspects. Richard Hayes, author of Genetically Modified Humans? No Thanks, takes the stance that we should not be able to change anything about human beings through genetic modification. He believes that once we start modifying a few features, it will slowly turn into every parent altering as many of their babies’ genes that they want. While he does acknowledge the positive impacts of getting rid of negative genes such as Tay-Sachs, he believes that it is not worth the risk of having parents manipulate all their future children’s genes to their liking. Green and Hayes stand on opposite sides of the debate about genetic modification of human beings and this essay will explore the similarities and the differences of their articles.

I think this is wrong because it’s almost as if they are trying to play the role of God. If everyone were to genetically alter their child, then the “normal children” would be left behind as far as intelligence. Another thing is that only the rich can afford. Designer babies cost a good bit of money. It generally can cost around 3, 4, or even 10 thousand dollars. Another bad thing with designer babies is that sometimes they are used as “spare parts”. Some of these children were born to use as extra or spare parts. It almost reminds you of a Savior

Genetic Modification is often perceived as the answer to humanity’s faults because it will enhance human abilities, prevent the survival of incapacitating disabilities, and guide the innovation of the future. Sounds pretty good, right? That is not the reality. Genetic modification is not the solution to the ubiquitous problems of the human race, but rather infringes on individual rights, decreases diversity, permits too much power to the human race, and contributes to overpopulation.

Although this may be the case in many areas of people’s lives today, it is not always beneficial, or necessary. People may have trouble deciding whether messing with human genes and cells is ethical. Designing the “perfect child” in many parent’s eyes becomes a harsh question of reality. The concept of a parent’s unconditional love for their child is questioned because of the desire to make their child perfect. If genetically engineering humans becomes a dominant medical option, people could have the chance to create their child however they like: from physical appearances, genetically enhanced genes, and the possibility to decide what a child thinks and acts, parents have access to designing their entire child. Naturally, people could be creating a super-human. Issues between different races, and eventually creating new prejudices against genetically engineered humans may increase. People may not realize how expensive genetic screening is at first. With only the rich being able to “enhance” their children, another social issue might occur, giving the world another type of people to outcast.

Picture a future where everyone is perfect, where judgment would not exist because no one is ugly, everyone is beautiful and flawless. In this “perfect” world each individual would be gifted in a specific category that they would excel in and go beyond what an average mundane could. This is a possible scenario we may encounter in the future if we allow the research of genetically- modified embryos (GM babies) to continue. Discussed by many, this topic has become increasingly popular. For some people this interests them in the sense that we can become the best versions of ourselves, simply by changing our genes. Another reason people support GM babies is that there is experiments that can prevent babies from being born with genetic health problems. Although the creation of these altered GM babies has some advantages, there are several problems that people must consider before we decide to go ahead with these plans. For example, genetic research will disrupt the natural order, which can lead to designer babies or GM babies born with side effects. The dangers of these experiments will greatly affect the world we live in. We must not rush into the practice of GM babies without letting the populations know the outcomes these GM babies can have in our society. Try to help everyone grasp the definition of GM babies and also explain how experiments on embryo can lead to designer babies.

Though it is evident that the concept of “Designer Babies” would prove unpopular amongst the majority of society, there still remains to be advocates for a future compromising of GM children. It is argued that gene technology will bring about a new age of human beings who are happier, smarter and healthier. Supporters look forward to a future when parents could quite literally assemble their children from genes listed in a catalogue. A future in which the health, appearance, personality and life span of our children become mere artefacts of genetic modification.

Renowned Physicist Stephen Hawking once said the following regarding genetically engineered babies, “With genetic engineering, we will be able to increase the complexity of our DNA, and improve the human race. But it will be a slow process, because one will have to wait about 18 years to see the effect of changes to the genetic code.” Like Mr. Hawking stated the potential negative effect of having a baby through this process would not only take eighteen years to see a minimal effect of babies procreated this particular way. Although we strive to

In designing an engineered baby, it is never a guaranteed that they will be born unharmed or mentally stabled. The tools that are used can potentially harm the embryo, leaving it to be destroyed, if the perfect baby is not created it is eliminated. Genetically manipulated gene are recognized to cause serious diseases or disabilities after studies are done. A gene can often have more than one usage. While it can be used to cure a disease, and help stop an inherited illness, this study should not be done on living embryos. It causes more harm than it does good, affecting and destroying the unborn causing harm. Also creating a designer baby can cause a link to racism. In the book “A Brave New World of Designer Babies” by Sonia Suter, it explains how designer babies are linked to racism and how thanks to (neo)eugenics people might want to use this to eliminate or reduce the prevalence of ethnic groups. This is a perfect example of why genetically modified humans should not be allowed. It will cause harm to children, and causes a division between children and young adults. For instance, schools, parks, playgrounds, and many more public zones, will be divided. A child can also be picked on because they are designer children, or they can be bullied by not being designer babies, and not being in the perfect image. It can cause serious separation and divide children into adulthood. This will make individuals feel bad about themselves and will affect their mental state. Having a

With the informational facts given overtime most of us can conclude that health is the major issue that we must focus on for genetic modification, not only for the embryo but for the individual carrying the embryo or even the society. Health not only includes the embryo's risk of catching a cold but also obtaining severe genes that may be life threatening such as cancer being passed down or even HIV/Aids. The society also is something to think about with the health issue, thinking about if genetic modification of embryos will affect the family's gene pool, other siblings, the embryo as he or she gets older, and even how the environment surrounding the embryo will act towards he or she in which can all affect a person's mindset and viewpoint as a whole. Genetic modification must be addressed for the interest and health of future subjects and risk takers who will actually think about “building” their babies look and

Humans have been able to genetically modify crops, food, and animals over the years with many regulations. Now, they are able to genetically select/modify babies with the rapidly advancing technology that is available. Until recently, parents did not have the option to choose how their child will look and the many genetic features that their child must have. Genetically modified babies (GMB) are commonly referred to as designer babies. Designer babies’ genetic makeup is “selected in order to eradicate a particular defect or to ensure that a particular gene is present” (Catalano, 2012). Although the purpose for genetically modifying the fetus is to eradicate diseases many nowadays use it to alter physical genes such as eye color and hair color which is an abuse of the technology. This has caused a debates regarding whether or not GMBs are ethical and if the United

So after the doctor determine the gender of the baby, which can easily be done by removing a cell from the embryo after it has fertilized for several days, the cell the gets tested to identify the gender. If the embryo happens to be a male, the doctors can then help parents to choose a healthy girl embryo to implant into the mom’s womb. Couples who are unable to have children because they would come out with genetic diseases would appreciate this chance to start a family. Genetic diseases would be screened out so that the baby could be born without carrying any genetic diseases. Giving them the opportunity to create a healthy baby. Not only it would save the child from suffering, reduce medical costs, but the parents also would not have to bare the pain that comes with having a sick

Science is now able to better improve human health and safety thanks to the advanced modern technology and medicine that are available. Yet with today's technology being implemented into science comes the questions of human morality, or bioethics. One of the bioethics debates is on the coined term “Designer babies”; on if or where society should draw the line on genetically altering our children before they are born. With the technology able to stop hereditary diseases, the scientific development’s are able to change the child’s “eye color, hair color, social intelligence, right down to whether or not your child would have a widow’s peak” before the child is born. From the options on choosing whether or not your child will look or act a certain

The birth of a child is supposed to be a time of joy, the uncertainty of life leads to this one point in time. Will she or he be the next president, a star athlete, a genius or just fall into the crowd as another citizen. With recent advancements in science, this uncertainty has become a thing of the past. The human being is now seen as a commodity and no more is valued in the uncertainty of individuality. The parent can now choose how they want their child to come out or develop into. Sandel’s book The Case Against Perfection: Ethics in the Case of Modern Eugenics is a well researched look into examples of modern eugenics and the problems that arise from it. These topics range from the ethics of cloning, athletes using performance enhancing drugs, and other practical uses in everyday life. Sandel’s argument is that there is value in human nature (even with all its flaws), and genetic engineering will forever change human nature. Destroying the very essence of what it is to be human and scarring humanity. The main features of human nature that will be altered: are responsibility, humility and solidarity.

People say that the benefits of human genetic engineering can include completely wiping out genetic defects that can cause terminal illnesses, or other life altering conditions. This information however, is completely untrue. Just because a disease doesn’t seem to be present in hundreds, thousands, or even a whole generation of humans, doesn’t mean that the genetic defect is gone; it can always come back. On the other hand, parents seem to turn towards the option of creating a “spare part” child. A spare part child will