Designer Babies Research Paper
Felicia Lessard
Student Number: 21995345
Introduction to Biology, SCI 120
Research Project Number: 25088100
DESIGNER BABIES
There have been many social views on the topic of designer babies, which include a scientist point-of-view. Designer babies are those of which parents can make the rash decision to genetically alter their child so that they do not develop the genetic disorders that many of us have today. By using IVF or InVitro Fertilization as the method of altering the genes, doctors have been able to “custom make” unborn babies to portray or eliminate certain characteristics.
What is a Designer Baby and How Are They Made?
By definition, a “Designer Baby” is a genetically modified, unborn child. Basically, they are children who have …show more content…
The type of sperm (X or Y) that fertilizes an egg can be chosen, which is used to determine the sex and genes of the baby. The embryos can be screened for genetic diseases, and only selected embryos are implanted back into the mother’s womb. This technique is called Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis or PGD. (Bionet par. 2)
Michael Lemonick, a writer for Time, shows in his article “Designer Babies” that these techniques allow doctors and parents to reduce the chance that a child will be born with a genetic disorder. It must be catching on because each year in the U.S. about 25,000 kids are born by IVF (Lemonick par. 16). And, not only is this like an extravagant shopping experience for parents but it’s also increasing in demand (Lemonick 1999). Society in entirety could be changed due to the increase in wanting that “perfect child.” Not only does this raise ethical and social questions but history could even repeat itself. The misuse of this procedure could cause genocide or make something like the Holocaust happen. The desired characteristics that parents want and demand for in their unborn children are skin, eye, and hair color and it was just how the Holocaust began. This type of lifestyle or procedure is very closely related to the Gattaca, the Brave New World, or the Nazis’ standards for a “perfect race’ (“Designing Rules For,”
Student Number: 21995345
Introduction to Biology, SCI 120
Research Project Number: 25088100
DESIGNER BABIES
There have been many social views on the topic of designer babies, which include a scientist point-of-view. Designer babies are those of which parents can make the rash decision to genetically alter their child so that they do not develop the genetic disorders that many of us have today. By using IVF or InVitro Fertilization as the method of altering the genes, doctors have been able to “custom make” unborn babies to portray or eliminate certain characteristics.
What is a Designer Baby and How Are They Made?
By definition, a “Designer Baby” is a genetically modified, unborn child. Basically, they are children who have …show more content…
The type of sperm (X or Y) that fertilizes an egg can be chosen, which is used to determine the sex and genes of the baby. The embryos can be screened for genetic diseases, and only selected embryos are implanted back into the mother’s womb. This technique is called Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis or PGD. (Bionet par. 2)
Michael Lemonick, a writer for Time, shows in his article “Designer Babies” that these techniques allow doctors and parents to reduce the chance that a child will be born with a genetic disorder. It must be catching on because each year in the U.S. about 25,000 kids are born by IVF (Lemonick par. 16). And, not only is this like an extravagant shopping experience for parents but it’s also increasing in demand (Lemonick 1999). Society in entirety could be changed due to the increase in wanting that “perfect child.” Not only does this raise ethical and social questions but history could even repeat itself. The misuse of this procedure could cause genocide or make something like the Holocaust happen. The desired characteristics that parents want and demand for in their unborn children are skin, eye, and hair color and it was just how the Holocaust began. This type of lifestyle or procedure is very closely related to the Gattaca, the Brave New World, or the Nazis’ standards for a “perfect race’ (“Designing Rules For,”