GRSJ224/Designer Babies

Designer Babies

This is a visual depiction of how genetic screening would happen for a female. Do note that there could be genetic modification done, to get rid of genetic diseases, before a 'healthy embryo' is placed back into the uterus.

A Designer Baby is a baby that has had genetic screening and genetic modification done to it. This process is completed through in vitro fertilization, where the eggs are removed from a female's uterus and fertilized outside of the body and placed back Or it can be done through gene manipulation or gene therapy, where genes are added to either the sperm, eggs, or embryo. There are many debates surrounding this highly controversial procedure as it involves new technology that is unfamiliar to many. This article will discuss the ethics of designer babies, from both those for and opposed to designer babies. This article will try to focus on the ethics of designer babies, but more specific medical details and procedures about designer babies can be found here: Designer Baby.

Microscopic view of a sex cell undergoing DNA editing

Overview of the Debate

Critics are positioned on both sides of this debate, some argue that these procedures are not fully researched and the impact of manipulating genes is not clear to be preforming this procedures. Others see this medical advancement as a benefit to society as it will reduce diseases and cure other genetic problems found in humans. In almost every advancement in artificial reproductive technology, we have seen moral opposition . This can be attributed to the fact that new technologies have not been considered by many people, therefore there are not any clear and established norms. And conversations about pros and cons will need to be had to determine what the general public thinks about utilizing these technologies to create designer babies.

Ethical Arguments For Designer Babies

Those in favour of manipulating genetic material in an embryo or in genetic material, state that these procedures can help cure genetic disorders like autism, down syndrome, Huntington’s disease, and Alzheimer’s . These technologies could possibly, and eventually help eliminate genetic diseases in the population all together. Other reasons that designer babies are thought of in more positive terms is because there will be an increase in life span. Why would we not correct a genetic disease if we were capable of it and we knew it would expand someone's life span? And if genetic modification is not banned or there is very restrictive regulation around it, then we will never be able to fully understand its possible impacts. The technology needs to be studied and understood in order to help people, therefore, genetic modification should be allowed in order to provide more information and clarity .

Molly's Case

A specific example of how genetic modification can be looked at as a beneficial method of reproduction is through examining a specific case. In a 1997 issue of the New York Times, Jack and Lisa Nash's 2 year old baby Molly was described as suffering from Fanconi anemia. And would die by the age of 8 if she did not receive a bone-marrow replacement. Her parents decided to have another child in hopes that this new baby would have bone marrow identical to their daughter's. The process of having another child would include maximum hormone stimulation, to produce as many eggs as possible. Then all the healthy eggs would undergo fertilization, and the ones with an exact bone marrow match would be placed back into the uterus.

Ethical Arguments Against Designer Babies

Those opposed to manipulating genetic material state that the safety of these procedures is not fully established, and not enough research has been done to confidently say that manipulating genes is safe. There are even medical complications that have happened as a result of trying to manipulate genetic material. Other scholars state that these medical techniques may eventually be used for genetic enhancement and not just to manipulate genes to prevent diseases . Scholars fear that the abuse of eugenics can come as a result of these new developing technologies, and that is why some countries have even outlawed genetic modification . However, throughout the world we see genetic modification of this type being outlawed or banned, but, there is a lot of ambiguity as to the actual regulations, and consequences of these regulations. Some have proposed trying to reach "international consensus regarding whether society accepts or rejects human germ line gene modification for medical purposes" but this would be a very tough thing to achieve in the international community because of a diversity of cultures, perspectives, religions that affect opinions on this technology.

Possible eye colour selections for an unborn baby to have

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)

OHSS is one of the many medical complications that patients can experience when trying to manipulate genetic material. OHSS occurs in females when they are taking hormones to stimulate their ovaries to develop eggs (used for in vitro fertilization cases) . The symptoms can range from swollen ovaries to rapid weight gain, abdominal pain, vomiting and shortness of breath . This is a common result of in vitro fertilization processes, and although it rarely causes death it is still a significant medical complication that could happen when trying to modify genes through in vitro fertilization. Not only should OHSS be explained to parents when considering gene modification via in vitro fertilization, but all the other possible medical complications should be explained so that parents understand the risks they will be taking.

Legal Complications

The legal consequences of trying to hold parents accountable for decisions regarding genetic modification also complicates the issue. This is because in the courts, where judges and juries will need to determine if genetic modification is allowed, they will need to speculate about possible consequences of having a disease or not having a disease. But the majority of judges and juries will have no personal experience with disabilities, or diseases, forcing them to make decisions based on established social stereotypes This makes the situation even more disturbing because the legal system will possibly be reinforcing existing negative views about disabilities, and diseases.

Ideas For Moving Forward

Moving forward with regards to genetic modification and designer babies could be very controversial. Decisions need to be made and considered by large portions of the population, so that socio-ethical implications of genetic modification are considered from a variety of perspectives