Ethical Issues In Genetic Research

A gene is the fundamental unit of heredity. Genes determine the genotype and phenotype of living entities. Compared to the past, genetic research has advanced a great deal. For many centuries, it was believed that God had created the human species; however, due to the researches and experiments done by scientists like Hippocrates, Aristotle, Charles Darwin, Gregor Mendel… it is now accepted that the true force behind evolution, is the adaptation of the genetic code to the environment. As the research in eugenics advances, researchers discover an array of different possible applications such as: germ-line genetic alterations, gene therapy, and genetic enhancements. These are examples of genetic engineering. Scientists say that someday, parents …show more content…
Parents want the best for their children, so it is understandable that they want them to have the best set of DNA, but modifying the child to their liking, is it really what is best for the child? Their decision is based on their preferences and not on the child’s. It is the child that will live with the genetically modified characteristics for the rest of their lives and not the parents. If the child finds out that he/she has been genetically modified to suit his/her parents’ preferences, this might change the way the child feels about their parents. It will cause the child to question themselves and their identity, thus creating a strained relationship with their parents. In addition, there is no guarantee that the child will show the trait that has been genetically modified. For example, if the parents select an embryo to be athletic, and he/she grows up to dislike sports, then the parents would be disappointed because their investment did not get properly utilized. As a result, this leads to unrealistic expectations on children. Furthermore, babies cannot give consent, so is it right for parents to genetically modify their child? The child who is being genetically modified must have a say in this matter because this decision involves their future. Moreover, it would be morally wrong of the parents to …show more content…
Designer babies can lead to biologically based inequalities, the relationship between parent-child being strained, and it can be dangerous for the child. The “natural” way, sexual reproduction, of making a child allows mutations to occur in the DNA. Not all mutations are bad, rather some of them can be advantageous and disadvantageous mutations will be eliminated by apoptosis. Sexual reproduction allows the baby to hold unique qualities, whereas the designer babies will lack the unique qualities since the parents want their baby to be perfect. This means that the parents want their babies to be intelligent, a great athlete, and good-looking, in return losing certain unique characteristics. Also, once a designer baby is developed, it will look similar to all genetically modified