Human Embryo Persuasive Essay

Although the intentions of genetically modifying DNA in human embryos is aimed to rid society of genetic defects, it is still essential that this scientific discovery remains ethical. In an article on NPR.org, Rob Stein describes an experiment that scientists have been conducting in which they modify human DNA in order to eliminate life threatening genetic diseases that could be passed on for generations (Stein). In Portland, at Oregon Health & Science University, Paula Amato, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, explains “that their work is aimed at preventing terrible diseases, not creating genetically enhanced people...much more research is needed to confirm the technique is safe and effective before anyone tries to make a baby this way”(Stein). Because scientists like Amato realize their research is controversial, they are taking every precaution to assure what they are doing is morally correct, they are not intending to corrupt society. Although their intentions are good, it is their job to make sure their research is being used in an ethical way. If not, millions of people, who are already obsessed with the idea of perfection, will be able to do something about

What if there was a future where having a child was as simple as selecting desirable genes out of a catalogue? A future where technology granted parents the ability to design and perfect their children. The notion of “Designer Babies” seems absurd; however the rapid development of technology and the potential of gene manipulation could make this a startling reality.

This topic has already caused mass debates and argument between people, whether they are scientists or just students, everyone has their own opinion. Some people are saying that we should do as much as we can with this technology as we have it, no limitations but others are saying stop wait a second, what do we even really know about this technology. Is it morally okay to genetically change and modify your future children? Should it truly be up to the parents as to what the child’s life will be like? Are there dangerous side affects that we are unaware of yet?

Day by day, an accretion of advancements and improvements are formed across the world. Prominent developments occur rapidly, like the use and creation of technology. Technology has and continues to create an immense effect on how we live our daily lives. Its use is ranged from how information is found, travel, communication, and more. However, the advancements of technology seems to interfere with the circle of natural life, life that is brought into our world. It has changed the lives of unborn children, whom are in the form of an embryo. Altered by a new technique and process of genetic modification, that is commonly referred to as “Designer Babies”. This genetic modification, genetically modifies the DNA of an embryo to achieve desirable traits amongst them. It changes an unborn babies development and future life. While it may seem that designer babies can be a positive life change, there are negative effects that outweigh, due to the fact that it goes against human nature; genetic probability, expectations, diversity, and religious prospects.

Even though gene editing has been discussed and thoroughly gone through and examined, many scientists are still very skeptical and refuse to even do it especially on embryos.

5. Krimsky, Sheldon, Robert Winston, Nita A. Farahany, & Lee M. Silver. Should We Prohibit Genetically Engineered Babies. New York. 19 February

Parents wish for their children to be perfect and, more so, healthy. Through the advancement of modern technology and science, giving birth to a child of desired hair color, body type, and without any physical or mental ailments could be a reality for all parents, whether or not they are carriers of certain genes. Genetic modification, sometimes called “germline editing,” has the potential to allow for medical doctors and scientists to not only change certain characteristics of a human embryo, but to also alter the future of humanity itself. While this process has many proponents, the modification of the very essence of human life has some people worried. This is, in fact, uncharted territory in the scientific world, and the extent of the possible

Genetic engineering is the figurehead of the ethical concerns of scientists in the 21st century. Nothing is more engrossed with criticism and dislike than the idea of altering the baseline for living organisms. Many people are skeptical of genetic engineering due to the versatility it exhibits. A scientist could use a genetic editing tool, such as CRISPR, to remove the genes for a hereditary disease in an embryo, but they could also utilize it to alter the physical characteristics of a human baby. This thought provoked the flood gates of ethics to unleash a multitude of unanswered questions and concerns about the usage and further development of genetic engineering. The field of genetic engineering is

Designer babies are babies whose DNA has been modified to include and exclude certain traits. One such example is CRISPR-Cas9, a new technology, giving scientists the ability to control the genetic structure of human cells and use to create designer babies (Sas & Lawrenz, 2017). Additionally, what makes this gene editing attractive is the ability to locate, modify, or even remove deleterious gene diseases (Otieno, 2015). Gene editing might be beneficial to bring a child into this world without extra challenges such as deformities, genetic defects, and illnesses yet, there are serious concerns over this practice. Ultimately, not only is gene editing both difficult and expensive to achieve, but it is also an unreliable way to change natural order

Imagine a world where we can control genetics. What if we had the opportunity to eliminate all genetic diseases in just a few steps. Imagine a society where anyone could flip through a catalog to shop for traits to “design” their child. This may seem a little far fetched, however this imagined world may soon become possible through the rapid advancing development of genetic engineering. New and advanced technology has finally made it possible to access and hack the human genome. New gene editing technology called CRISPR Cas-9 has completely transformed the biomedical field. CRISPR Cas-9 is cheap, precise, efficient and ultimately works on all living organisms. Advanced genetic technology that have allowed us to genetically modify our food and clone sheep, may one day give parents the option to modify their own children. However the idea of one day creating “designer babies” sparks great controversy.

Forget designer babies with specific gene preferences determined by parents, we’re talking about the utter transformation by a technocracy of the human genome.

In the article “Designer Babies” from science writer Philip Ball, who discusses multiple contributing factors to the movement of genetic recoding in human embryos, we are given the process and statistics by which a fetus’s traits can be modified. While they can change simple hereditary features, there is a much broader spectrum on which they can modify genes. Apparently, disease, personality, and even intelligence can be affected through these means. However, there are many drawbacks to this situation that outweigh the pros. This will discuss how IVF embryos could negatively affect our lives and societies, as well as why the supporting side is faulted.

The US and Korean team created 58 human embryos while using the CRISPR-Cas9 they were able to repair faulty genes up to 70%. (…)

"The Embryo Project Encyclopedia." Ethics of Designer Babies. Arizona State University. School of Life Sciences. Center for Biology and Society. Embryo Project Encyclopedia., 25 Sept. 2013. Web. 27 Sept.

Writing in the journal Human Reproduction, the researchers, led by fertility pioneer Professor Jacques Cohen, say that this ‘is the first case of human germline genetic modification resulting in normal healthy children’.