Are things getting out of hand with our research into genetic processes? In this blog investigate social and ethical implications of this research and technologies that have been developed from it.
With technology comes the negative and positive feedback from society. If we look at the big picture, we'll be able to see that technology has done so much for our well-being and that it has saved countless lives over the years. But the question is when is does it go too far?
The question has been raised after the controversy of having designer babies brought much attention from our concerned society.
Before we start creating assumptions and judgments, we must first understand the term 'Designer Babies'. Designer babies is the modern term we use to describe the medical process of 'Genetic Engineering' , which is genetically enhancing or engineering a fetus during fertilization in the result that it will have gain or loose certain characteristics.
We all have our personal opinions on this issue, but has technology really gone too far in a way where it has interfered with nature? In my opinion, yes. Though I may only understand my perspective of the issue, and could never imagine how I might feel if the tables turn, I believe that this issue goes beyond my belief. However, I think it is only fair to explore both sides of this issue.
For some families, it is not about having the 'perfect' baby, but a healthy one. With the help of this procedure, the chances of the offspring being born with a genetic disorder is reduced. This technique may be a blessing for parents who have a tendency of producing offspring with genetic disorders, a procedure such as this can greatly increase the life span of the child and even save it.
In other cases, doctors as well as couples have taken complete advantage of the purpose of the process and used it in a matter where the importance of having a 'perfect' baby is much more important than having a healthy baby. There have been reports where clinics have been offering pre-implantation procedures to couples, in which they are able to screen the embryos for its gender, hair and eye color as well as its complexion. Further more, it allows the parents to have a choice of altering the characteristics of their future children by giving them the chance to choose whatever physical characteristics they want, from the complexion to hair color, for them, the sky is the limit.
So, is this really how superficial we human beings have gone? We can not even have babies of our own without being unhappy with it. Procedures such as this give people the opportunity to 'design' their babies as easy as choosing the color of your nail polish. This procedure pushes the boundaries of beauty, in a way it distorts our perception of beauty. It gives a message to the general public that the only way of having beautiful and perfect babies are through designing them and that we are not good enough to be born without a few alterations to the characteristics that make us unique in the first place.
At this point, my understanding of 'designer babies' is much more clear and that I can really make my opinion about this controversial issue. Though it may have positive results for some participants that need this procedure to better not only their lives but their children as well, this procedure has opened the door for many people who are more interested in having perfect babies. First of all, I just think that people who are able to produce should feel grateful for being blessed with the chance of having children. The bottom line is, 'designing' our own babies instead of leaving the job to nature takes away the surprises and uniqueness that life has to give.
References:
http://www.bionetonline.org/English/content/db_cont1.htm
http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/agar.html
http://singularityhub.com/2009/02/25/designer-babies-like-it-or-not-here-they-come/
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-designer-babies.html
Commented on:
Tammy Nguyen - http://tammy-bioblogtingz.blogspot.com/
Priscilla Chen- http://priscillasbioblog.blogspot.com/
