Ethical Issue of Designer Babies

Ethical Issue of Designer Babies

Amy Beasley
PHIL 1C: Ethics
Instructor: Larry L. Crane
December 22, 2013

There are a lot of ethical issues in the medical field in this day and age. One that stands out in my mind is designer babies. We cannot make designer babies as of yet, but science is making that possibility come closer and closer each day. To make a designer baby you need two things: knowledge of what genes are responsible for the traits you want your baby to have and the ability to put these genes into a baby.
Progress is growing fast in both of these areas. As the scientists work, they are becoming more capable of identifying the desirable genes. Scientists at UCLA are looking into the genetics of brain size and intellect. At this rate, it is only a matter of time before they will be able to identify beneficial genes. There are also studies being done on mice, to understand how to make them more intelligent. This provides a look into the future of where the technology is headed. Even though they may be able to achieve this someday, a higher IQ does not guarantee that this child will be a good person.
Soon the science of genetic engineering will be able to eliminate diseases that a baby is predisposed to. This idea of gene therapy could eliminate inherited disease. Imagine what a breakthrough in the health industry that could be. It could completely change preventative medicine. What we once dreamt of being the unimaginable is now coming closer to be a reality as every day passes. This also goes for choosing the more cosmetic electives as far as eye and hair color.
It will be interesting to hear all of the moral debates on the matter. I don’t think that it is right to be able to put in an “order” for a designer baby. I do not think that God ever intended for that to happen. If we design our babies to have the best traits, what will happen when they don’t live up to our expectations? But scientists are eager to make new discoveries, they are always pushing the...

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