“Designer babies” is the term being used by the media to describe the future of modifying or selecting our children’s genes for desirable characteristics (medical and cosmetic). 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.
From a religious standpoint, I can understand why this is a major topic amongst people. We see it as tampering with mother nature and disturbing the natural order. The creation of "Designer Babies" in the near future could possibly make or break our future as a species. When you think about it, the countless few who managed to change the world dramatically did so, without being "perfect". In a few years scientists will have completed the "Human Genome Project" a scientific research project created to determine the complete structure of the human genetic material (or DNA). In this lifetime, we have evolved to the point where we can direct our own evolution. Imagine a race of "perfect" human beings running around in cities, all designed to live well past the age of a hundred. But what is "perfect" ? some people would want a kid who was as smart as Albert Einstein, as musically talented as Ray Charles, and as talented in oratory as JFK, but all these people were not "perfect" human beings; they did not have the "perfect" genome. Einstein had dyslexia, Ray Charles had Primary Glaucoma, and JFK had Addison's Disease. These men were put in history books despite their slight imperfections. If we were to have figured out how to create the perfect babies well before today, these people would have never been born.
Currently, there are two ways technology has replaced human reproduction. The first being IVF or In Vitro Fertilization. In this process, the ovulatory process is controlled by extracting the eggs from a woman's ovaries, and then releasing the sperm to fertilize them in a fluid. This is all done outside of the womb, thus the name "in vitro" or "within the glass". This technique was first used by Dr. Patrick Steptoe in 1978, when he and a team of scientists in Oldham, UK successfully gave birth to Louise Brown through the use of IVF. This technique is still being used today and can run around for 1,200$ to do such a procedure. The second is PGD or "preimplantation genetic diagnosis" this is done durinf the IVF process, where, after the embryo's are fertilized, they are screened for any possible genetic disorders. This allows the creation of a "perfect baby".
How far are we gonna go? I recently saw a movie called "Gattaca" in this movie, a large fraction of the population is genetically enhanced. The world has embraced the use of science as a means to create the perfect baby and doing so; has made the people born naturally into the social underclass. As they say in the movie: "We've got discrimination down to a science". The main protagoist is Vincent Freeman, he was born natrually within the womb. His brother on the other hand, was created as the perfect specimen and because so; made him the favorite. As the movie continues; him and his brother go swimming in the sea to see how far who could go the longest without chickening out and swimming back to shore. They used to do this all the time as kids, and his brother Anton would always be the clear winner. But one day in their teenage years, they begin their race again, but surprisingly Vincent is the clear winner; because Anton begins to drown halfway. Vincent saves him, and finally departs from his family. In the beggining of the movie; Vincent was given a 99% chance of having a heart problem, and he was given a 30 year lifespan. He had always dreamed about becoming an astronaut, but because of his "genetics" he is only accepted to do very menial jobs. In this future, job applications and social statuses are replaced by genetic reading. Applying for a job, simply consists of giving a DNA sample by blood, piss, or any other disposable human waste such as loose skin or hair. Vincent then decides to impersonate a "valid" specimen in order to achieve his dream of becoming an astronaut. He does this by taking human samples from Jerome Morrow, who was destined to become the greatest track runner in history because of his genetics, but after coming second in a big name race, he decides to commit suicide. But he fails to, and instead paralyzes his spine leaving him in a wheelchair for life. So, he decides to "rent his identity" by giving samples to Vincent in order for him to become a celestial navigator. After a group of events that nearly compromises true Vincent's identity, he is able to pull through and eventually go up in to space.
This movie helped bring a full realization of what might happen in the near future, and the problems that would succumb. The entire sexual productive act is eliminated, and couples who decide to have a baby together, propose so by presenting a hair strand.