Choosing the traits for your baby was a thing of the future, but now it’s a reality. Designer babies, also known as Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis or PGD is where you can choose the genetic “makeup” of your child. Doing so has many benefits, but also many MANY cons. Designer babies are not something literally constructed and would ruin the society of today.
Designer babies or PGD is where eggs are taken and fertilized through vitro fertilization. Vitro fertilization is where the egg is taken and fertilized in a lab. Once the eggs are fertilized, the cells are removed from the developed embryo. The genes are tested and the couple can choose to implant a different gene in. For example, if the parents want to change their baby’s eye color, …show more content…
Like everything in life, there are risks associated with them. The technology that is being used is only in the experimental stages, and there is a chance that something might go wrong and the baby would not develop correctly or there is a chance that the embryo might die altogether. It is also unknown how designer babies might affect the gene pool, which is the set of genetic information in any population, and because of certain traits people might pick, there will be a lack of genetic diversity, and this has shown to lead to defects and complications. Along with the physical complications, there are many emotional and other complications as well. Designer babies can create a gap in our society, and this can create conflicts between designer babies and people who are not designer babies. As an embryo, it cannot give its consent as to whether or not it wants its genes altered with. A child that was a designer baby could lose their individuality and confidence because they might feel like they look and act just like everyone else. Also, having a designer baby is very expensive, with costs going up to $50,000, which is close to the median U.S. household income, only the rich can afford it. This creates classes between the rich and the poor. Would you risk any of these things just to have the “perfect”
Designer babies or PGD is where eggs are taken and fertilized through vitro fertilization. Vitro fertilization is where the egg is taken and fertilized in a lab. Once the eggs are fertilized, the cells are removed from the developed embryo. The genes are tested and the couple can choose to implant a different gene in. For example, if the parents want to change their baby’s eye color, …show more content…
Like everything in life, there are risks associated with them. The technology that is being used is only in the experimental stages, and there is a chance that something might go wrong and the baby would not develop correctly or there is a chance that the embryo might die altogether. It is also unknown how designer babies might affect the gene pool, which is the set of genetic information in any population, and because of certain traits people might pick, there will be a lack of genetic diversity, and this has shown to lead to defects and complications. Along with the physical complications, there are many emotional and other complications as well. Designer babies can create a gap in our society, and this can create conflicts between designer babies and people who are not designer babies. As an embryo, it cannot give its consent as to whether or not it wants its genes altered with. A child that was a designer baby could lose their individuality and confidence because they might feel like they look and act just like everyone else. Also, having a designer baby is very expensive, with costs going up to $50,000, which is close to the median U.S. household income, only the rich can afford it. This creates classes between the rich and the poor. Would you risk any of these things just to have the “perfect”