Designer Babies: No Longer Science-Fiction

 

	designer baby:
	an infant created by genetic engineering combined with in vitro fertilization in order to ensure the absence or presence of a particular gene or characteristic

The trend of designer babies is a fascinating, yet horrifying. I believe that getting one's eggs/sperm screened for genetic disorders or diseases before implanting them into the mother is a reasonable decision that will save the child's parents' time and money in the future. However, I believe that altering the eye or hair colour of a child who has no say in the decision is wrong.

If a couple knows that one, or both, of them have a genetic disorder that could possibly be passed down to their child, I believe that it's reasonable for them to consider having their sperm/eggs screened in order to prevent their child from suffering. No parent would ever want their child to suffer, especially if they know that they could've prevented it. Having their gametes screened doesn't harm anyone, but rather helps many people, such as doctors, the child as well as the parents. Overall, I believe that if a 'designer baby' is a result of preventing the passing down of genetic disorders, I'm all for it.

On the other hand, I believe that making genetic alterations to an unborn baby is completely wrong. First off, genetically altering an embryo or sperm to one's liking is something that has yet to studied. After all, not long ago, genetically altering your child was only thought of as science fiction. For all we know, artificially changing genes could cause major problems to the child down the road. Secondly, just because you don't like certain physical characteristics about yourself and fear that they may be passed down to your offspring, doesn't mean that they won't like those features. If your child doesn't like their eye colour, they can wear contact lenses, if they don't like their hair colour, they can dye their hair. What I'm trying to say is that rather than permanently changing your child's features and spending your life savings doing so, think of all the alternatives to it, such as hair dye and contact lenses as they'll cost you much less money and possibly regret. Finally, it's not up to us to decide the physical appearance of our child, it's up to God. We're all created in our own unique way through Him, and He created us in that same manner. Why would you change something about yourself that's in another person, when it might just be the quality that makes them unique?

References:
Definition of Designer Baby
Source 2: Debating 'Designer Babies
Source 3: Designer Babies - Like It or Not, Here They Come
Source 4: Screening Could Create 'Designer Babies'

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