With the advancements made in technology daily and new scientific studies and explorations, the science community is always on the brink of something big. And the next big thing might be designer babies. Deeper and more profound exploration into cells and genetics have allowed for the possibility of designer babies to emerge. Before creating designer babies was even an idea, scientists were first working towards sequencing the human genome. By sequencing the human genome, scientists will be able to identify which nucleotide sequences code for which genes.
Sequencing the human genome has been a huge scientific project for decades now. Scientists everywhere have been racing to see who can sequence the human genome first. Craig Venter, an intensely …show more content…
Analyzing one hundred thousand SNPs with a gene-chip created by Affymetrix, the leading gene-chip company, would cost a few thousand dollars (Naam, p. 124). If gene sequencing becomes cheaper, it will have some real impact on the human population, such as determining which genes code for mental and physical traits. This also leads to the ability to determine which genes those with deathly illnesses have in common with each other and not with the general public. Being able to map the human genome and pinpoint exactly which genes are involved with cancer, heart disease, and ALS are a dream come true to the world’s population. However, with this knowledge and ability comes power. Scientists will be influenced to take this discovery one step further and identify genes that code for hair color, eye color, intelligence, and skin tone. Something similar to this science is already available to the public. Parents who go through in-vitro fertilization, IVF, are able to look at the genes of the embryos they created and view their genetic profiles. Parents are able to scroll through a selection of potential embryos; “a lovely green-eyed, brown-haired girl, but with a high risk of heart disease and only average intelligence or a pudgy, probably shy boy likely to have a high IQ.” (Naam, p. 126) This raises many ethical questions. Is it right for parents to choose an …show more content…
Not only is cosmetic enhancement wrong, but there lies the potential for children to be made to look the same, fitting a genetic mold thought to be superior to others, ranging from hair color to sex. Another concern with designer babies is the power parents will feel over their children. Creating a child to look a certain way, act a certain way, and achieve certain things, can cause a tyrannical dynamic between parents and children. Even though designer babies has yet to be attempted, discussions surrounding the ethicality of it need to begin
Sequencing the human genome has been a huge scientific project for decades now. Scientists everywhere have been racing to see who can sequence the human genome first. Craig Venter, an intensely …show more content…
Analyzing one hundred thousand SNPs with a gene-chip created by Affymetrix, the leading gene-chip company, would cost a few thousand dollars (Naam, p. 124). If gene sequencing becomes cheaper, it will have some real impact on the human population, such as determining which genes code for mental and physical traits. This also leads to the ability to determine which genes those with deathly illnesses have in common with each other and not with the general public. Being able to map the human genome and pinpoint exactly which genes are involved with cancer, heart disease, and ALS are a dream come true to the world’s population. However, with this knowledge and ability comes power. Scientists will be influenced to take this discovery one step further and identify genes that code for hair color, eye color, intelligence, and skin tone. Something similar to this science is already available to the public. Parents who go through in-vitro fertilization, IVF, are able to look at the genes of the embryos they created and view their genetic profiles. Parents are able to scroll through a selection of potential embryos; “a lovely green-eyed, brown-haired girl, but with a high risk of heart disease and only average intelligence or a pudgy, probably shy boy likely to have a high IQ.” (Naam, p. 126) This raises many ethical questions. Is it right for parents to choose an …show more content…
Not only is cosmetic enhancement wrong, but there lies the potential for children to be made to look the same, fitting a genetic mold thought to be superior to others, ranging from hair color to sex. Another concern with designer babies is the power parents will feel over their children. Creating a child to look a certain way, act a certain way, and achieve certain things, can cause a tyrannical dynamic between parents and children. Even though designer babies has yet to be attempted, discussions surrounding the ethicality of it need to begin