The Pros And Cons Of Designer Babies - 1062 Words

There is a lot of controversy surrounding the world of gene manipulation. Whether the subject is cloning, genetic modified organisms, or even the use of antibiotics there will always be some type of ethical issue raised. One topic that has a lot of ethical issues surrounding it is designer babies. This research paper will explain what exactly a designer baby is, the pros, the cons, the reality, and the ethical issues surrounding genetic babies. So, what exactly is a designer baby? In layman terms, a designer baby is an embryo that is genetically engineered to display certain wanted, or even delete unwanted genes from the genetic makeup of that baby (Designer Babies). This is done by in vitro fertilization (IVF), which is the manual†¦show more content†¦Parents of a child who has one of these lives altering diseases, commonly states phrases like, â€Å"if I could take this disease away I would in an instant†. That phrase is now a reality with the fact genetic engineers are capable of ridding embryotic DNA of the option to even code for possible diseases. Along with having many pros, there are also cons to designer babies. One being the fact this is still a relatively new procedure done. There is still a lot to be learned about the human genome, let alone how to manipulate it. This being said, it is not really known how these designer babies will affect future gene pools. â€Å"Current techniques of genetic modification introduce genes at random places in the genome, which could disrupt the function of another gene crucial for survival† (Designer Babies). In a sense, this could create the butterfly effect; one small action, or change in the coding of a gene, could lead to other unwanted changes that may be worse than the original unwanted gene. Designer babies are not common either. It is very expensive, and more people cannot afford it. IVF alone cost around $15,000, and insurance rarely covers it. PGD costs an estimated $4,000 for every time the procedure is done. A couple who had two boys and multiple miscarriages desperate ly wanted their third child to be a girl. They spend $100,000 to guarantee the sex of their third child would be female (Ridley, Jane). This whole process could cost hundreds ofShow MoreRelatedPros and Cons of Designer Babies2167 Words   |  9 PagesPros and Cons of Designer Babies Designer babies are babies, whose genetic makeup has been artificially screened and chosen by scientists, via genetic engineering. This concept has raised numerous ethical issues. Lets have a look at the pros and cons of designer babies. Did You Know? The term designer baby was actually coined by journalists and not scientists. The term designer baby made its entry into the Oxford English Dictionary in 2004, where it is defined as a baby whose genetic makeupRead MoreGenome Editing : The Modern Frankenstein929 Words   |  4 Pageswhat are the pros and cons? The most obvious pro, of course, is that genome editing can help delete diseases and abnormalities within our DNA (Rajan). With this advancement in being able to edit our genes, it gives us a much better idea of the genes, and an ability to move even further (Designer Babies Pros and Cons). Another pro, is that each child can have better genes than the parents have, and essentially be healthier with longer lives (Designer Babies Pros and Cons). As for the cons, this couldRead MoreThe Invention Of Designer Babies902 Words   |  4 Pagestechnologies, the creation of designer babies is an increasing reality. Designer babies are genetically engineered in vitro for specially selected traits, which can vary from lowered disease risk to gender selection (â€Å"Ethics of Designer Babies† 1). With the possibility of designer babies becoming a reality, many ethical arguments have come into play. Within these arguments the pros and cons of designer babies are discussed and many ethical issues are brought up. There are many pros involved in the creationRead MoreNew Ideas And Inventions Of The World s Technology Essay981 Words   |  4 Pagesphysical appearance and health.Because of these technological advancements, people are able to essentially â€Å"Design a baby† by altering DNA and choosing which physical traits they want their children to have. This idea of genetic modification was introduced by the U.S. in 2000 when the first â€Å"designer baby† was born. The first Designer baby was Adam Nash, born August of 2000. Baby Nash was an experiment to help the client’s daughter, Molly, with a bone marrow transplant. She suffered from FanconiRead MoreDesigner Babies1566 Words   |  7 PagesCritical Review of Designer Babies: The Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering Author: Siew Yang Yi Yin Ren. Designer Babies: The Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering. MURJ Volume 12, Spring 2005. Genetic engineering is the modification of an organism’s genome through direct human manipulation of the DNA using modern technology. Although classical genetic methods using selective breeding has been done by humans since thousands of years ago, the manipulation of genome of organism through advanceRead MoreGenetic Engineering The Perfect Child Essay example1024 Words   |  5 Pagesof their child into their own hands. Whether it is ethical, or not, to engineer designer babies is a highly controversial topic with numerous pros and cons. Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is the contentious technology fertility specialists use to engineer what are commonly referred to as designer babies. There are countless experts, scientists, and physicians that fall on either side of the designer baby argument. In an article from CBS News, Dr. Arthur Caplan, Ph.D (director of the CenterRead MoreAs Technology Continues To Advance In Our Society, Medicine1142 Words   |  5 Pagesthe ability to design their babies. IVF, also known as in vitro fertilization, is the process of pre-selecting embryos before implantation (Bonsor and Layton). This form of conception aids many families with infertility to experience pregnancy and birthing a child of their own. Through the use of Preimplantation genetic diagnosis(PGD), IVF scans embryos for genetic disorders to ensure a healthier baby. But is designing a baby really as great as it sounds? Designer babies may seem like the future ofRead MoreWhat Is Meant By Designer Babies?1542 Words   |  7 PagesWhat is meant by Designer babies? The definition of a designer baby is that, a babies genetic makeup has been selected to eradicate a particular defect or to make sure that a particular gene is present(English Oxford dictionary).During embryo screening, a scientist would be able to tell what physical characteristics a child will grow to have; as well as whether or not this child is at risk of developing or will develop genetic disorders such as autism, down syndrome, Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’sRead MoreGenetic Engineering: Paper 3. Long, Blond Hair, Bright,1310 Words   |  6 Pagesthe human nature.   Genetic engineering, which includes the deliberate modification of human characteristics in a specific organism, causes controversy between people with difference in opinion (U.S.).   Genetic engineering for the aspiration of designer babies is not right, however utility for medical reasons of a fetus should be granted. In a New York Times article, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) panel states that they will only look into the scientific aspects of what they call mitochondrialRead MoreWhy People Should Not Embrace The Technology That Is Designer Babies975 Words   |  4 Pagesembrace the technology that is designer babies. The purpose of the discussion topic is to persuade people to against further research of designer babies. The general concept of designer babies is the hand-picked creation of a child, but the topic will be further discussed throughout this essay. Designer babies are an inhumane way to create a child and should not be promoted or legal in the United States. There are many videos based on the study of designer babies, as shown in the beginning of my