basis upon which many scientists base their conclusion that the very concept of ÂdesigningÊ your own baby is a farce, as features that are not present in the progenitorÊs genome cannot be passed on to the baby. Therefore, to conclude this section, I believe that from an entirely scientific perspective the prospect of a Âdesigner babyÊ, in the sense that it is meant, is impossible. The most choice that would be possible with the current method is to arrange the most preferable traits of the parents. There are many ethical reasons that say that such selection should not be carried out and indeed that the fact that the research is being conducted at all is a contravention of nature and calls into question the true value of life. 6-8 embryos are produced per IVF cycle, and many are discarded because of genetic defects, or even because of their gender. Do people not deserve life if they are the ÂwrongÊ gender? It is the conviction of many that life begins at conception, and if this is to be believed, then IVF would be unendingly destroying the future lives of millions of people. However, once the genes that code for certain aspects of a person have been identified, geneticists will become able to manipulate those genes in order to genetically modify embryos. This is the true door to the concept of a Âdesigner babyÊ, one that can be sculpted and shaped in any way the parent deems ideal. This is the most frightening realm into which only our imaginations can delve but it will be very real before we know it. The ethics
In the not too distant future, it will be possible to select for phenotypic characteristics, like the colour of a childÊs eyes and hair, athletic ability, etc. A parent having the ability to choose things so woefully unimportant as cosmetic appearance gives the parent a sense of disappointment over the fact that they did not select for a certain trait. That strikes me as a horrible world in which to live. Can a parent truly love a child when they are so obsessed with their exterior and not instead accepting of a son or daughter in their entire? Can it not be seen that a personÊs most valuable assets are not superficial but are the intangible clouds of their personality? These true qualities will never be predicted by genetic selection as a personÊs true self is formed after birth. Therefore, I believe that genetic selection should only be considered in so far as it is genetic screening, of defects and disorders in order to reduce the suffering of parents, especially mothers, going through the hardship and emotional turmoil of IVF. From a conservative viewpoint, the idea of a child that is specifically selected for by its parents is plainly abhorrent, and the idea should be fought. But I believe that the science does not support the idea of being able to ascribe your child with particular characteristics. Therefore, I conclude that the world a fear of the rise of genetically superior Âdesigner babiesÊ is irrational because it will not be possible until there has been a massive expansion in our ability to manipulate the human genome.
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