Imagine a world where your child can avoid predisposed illnesses before they are born. As
science and technology advances, eliminating predisposed illnesses in a human embryo is now a
possibility. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), genetic modification, and in vitro
fertilization (IVF) give parents the ability to create healthier babies. Genetic screening, genetic
modification, and IVF work hand in hand to create healthier children or “designer babies”.
Designer babies are children whose genetic makeup has been altered in efforts to eradicate a
particular defect. It is also possible that particular genes are made present in designer babies. In
addition to disease; gender, appearance, intelligence, and personality are traits that can be altered
in a designer baby. This technology is extremely important because the possibility of preventing
genetic diseases has increased tremendously. CRISPR Cas-9 is the technology scientist use today
to edit genes. How does this new technology work? According to the co-inventor of CRISPR
Cas-9, Jennifer Doudna, the CRISPR system produces a key enzyme that helps change DNA.
The enzyme is Cas-9; Cas-9 “seeks out, cuts, and degrades viral DNA in a specific way.”
Doudna also says that CRISPR Cas-9 is “programmable.” This system can be programmed to
recognize a particular DNA sequence and make cuts directly at the specific DNA site. This
genetic engineering tool works hand in hand with IVF to make a healthier future for our
population. In vitro fertilization is an assisted reproduction procedure. According to an unknown
author from the Create Fertility web page, the process starts by the patient receiving hormones to
help produce more eggs. Then the eggs are collected and mixed with the partner’s sperm in order
for fertilization to occur. Once the Embryo has matured, the embryo is then transferred into the
woman’s uterus. The woman is then monitored and tested for pregnancy a couple of weeks after
the embryo transfer. This process works with genetic engineering to produce “designer babies”.
When creating a “designer baby” the process of IVF includes a few more steps. After
fertilization, the embryo receives a preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PDG). According to
Karen Sermon, André Van Steirteghem, and Inge Liebaers in the article Preimplantation Genetic
Diagnosis, PDG is a screening test used to determine if genetic or chromosomal disorders are
present in embryos produced through IVF. Once the PDG is completed, cells are removed and
DNA is examined. The DNA will then be edited. Lastly, the healthy embryo will be implanted
into the patient’s uterus. The end result of this entire process is a designer baby. Parents choose
to have designer babies for multiple reasons. Some parents may have superficial values and
others may want to ensure that their child is disease free and healthy. According to a survey
conducted by researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center, “only 10 percent of people asked
would use genetic screening for athletic ability and 12.6 percent would use it for superior
intelligence.” The majority of those who would choose to screen rather test for mental
retardation, cancer, heart disease, blindness, and deafness. The expectation is that the child will
be as healthy as possible and have a greater opportunity for a more fulfilling life. The purpose of
the designer baby is to work towards the elimination of genetic diseases and inherited mutations
in DNA. Genetic engineering in human embryos can create a healthier next generation.
First and foremost, designer baby technology can lead to the enhancement of children. The
ability to customize your child’s genetic make-up can lead to an almost perfect child. Enhancing
physical and cognitive features can push your child towards the most ideal example of a human
being. The possibility of a child that produces more muscle, has stronger bones, is smarter, and
less susceptible to diseases leads to the concept of a stronger and better next generation. Stronger
and better children will ultimately lead to a stronger and better society. With the eradication of
genetic diseases and the addition of stronger traits, designer babies can be expected to have a
longer life expectancy. Longer and more fulfilling lives can be offered to the children of the
future. The quality of life may also be improved. In addition to eradicating diseases in efforts to
promise healthy futures, choosing more attractive traits can lead to a better lifestyle for your
child. According to Sue Shellenbarger, University of Texas’ economic professor Daniel
Hamermesh research states that “attractive people are likely to earn an average of 3 percent to 4
percent more than a person with below-average looks.” This information leads to the conclusion
that attractive people have a more successful future. Parents may choose to genetically modify
their children because of the possibility of promising their children a longer life expectancy,
healthier lifestyle, and a possibly more prosperous future. Every parent wants the best for their
child and genetic modification can help parents provide better opportunities for their children.
Society holds more attractive people at a higher standing and ensuring your child has desirable
features can put them a step ahead in life. Not only are appearances able to be altered but
cognitive abilities as well. Smarter, healthy, and more attractive children are almost every
parent’s fantasy. Giving parents the option to choose the genetic makeup of their child can lead
to promising futures for the children of tomorrow.
In addition to the enhancement of children, designer baby technology can also reduce the
risk of inherited health conditions and genetic diseases. Some inherited medical conditions
include obesity, diabetes, or asthma. These conditions can be prevented by genetic modification.
According to the JDRF type-one diabetes fact page, “about 200,000 youth have type-one
diabetes”. A child with type 1 diabetes can have many challenges in life. Symptoms often
include fatigue, nausea and vomiting, dehydration, and more. If a child is not already susceptible
to diabetes, obesity is also an inheritable condition that can pose a threat to a child’s health.
According to an unknown author from the State of Obesity, the Childhood Obesity Trend states
that “approximately 17.2% of children between the ages 2-19 are obese”. According to an
unknown author at the CDC, obesity can put a person at risk of diabetes, high blood pressure,
heart conditions, breathing issues and more. Diabetes and obesity are not the only inherited
medical conditions that can possibly be cured through genetic modification. IVF, PDG and
genetic modification can also help prevent genetic diseases. Sever incurable diseases such as
cystic fibrosis, cancer, Down syndrome, Huntington’s disease, or Sickle cell anemia can be
removed from a child’s DNA makeup. These diseases have left scientist and the medical
community in a state of confusion, although research continues there is no certainty that a cure
will prevail. All of these diseases are chronic and incurable. An unknown author at Cystic
Fibrosis Foundation states that in order for a child to have the disease “both parents must carry a
copy of the defective gene. If both parents are carriers there is a 25 percent chance the child will
have CF, a 50 percent chance the child will be a carrier but will not have CF, and a 25 percent
chance the child will not be a carrier and will not have CF.” The elimination of all undesirable
odds can insure a child is free of the disease. In addition to cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome is a
disease that can be removed from a child’s DNA. Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center
conducted a survey that stated “75 percent of the population surveyed would perform genetic
screening for mental retardation”. Caring for a child with Down syndrome can be difficult.
Children with Down syndrome are at high risk for many other diseases. An unknown author at
the CDC reported that “75% of children with Down syndrome are at risk for severe hearing loss,
50%-75% are affected by obstructive sleep apnea, 60% are at risk for eye diseases, and 50% are
at risk for heart defects at birth.” Not only is taking care of an individual with Down syndrome a
big responsibility, it is also expensive. The CDC states that “the average medical care costs were
12 times higher for children with Down syndrome compared to children of the same age without
Down syndrome.” Some parents are not physically, emotionally, or financially available to take
care of a child with such a life altering disease. In fact many parents turn to abortion after
screening an embryo positive for mental disabilities. According to Mark Bradford, the “number
of pregnancy terminations following prenatal diagnosis [of DS] is estimated at 3,100; taking
natural losses into account, the authors estimate that there would have been 7,600 live births each
year in the absence of prenatal diagnosis that resulted in abortion.” Abortion rates could possibly
decrease and parents will not have to make decisions like such to ensure the lifestyle desired for
them and their child. The process could be avoided by screening before the implantation of an
embryo and knowing for sure that the child will be healthy. In vitro fertilization and genetic
modification technology can literally change lives of parents-to-be. This technology can also
save parents from making troubling decisions or dealing with the extra stress involved with
having a child with a disability or sickness.
Lastly, designer baby technology can also lead to the elimination of mitochondrial
disorders. The United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation states that a “mitochondrial diseases
are the result of either inherited or spontaneous mutations in mtDNA or nDNA which lead to
altered functions of the proteins or RNA molecules that normally reside in mitochondria.”
As it continues, the text explains that “mitochondria are responsible for creating more than 90
percent of the energy needed by the body to sustain life and support organ function. When they
fail, less and less energy is generated within the cell. Cell injury and even cell death follow. If
this process is repeated throughout the body, whole organ systems begin to fail.” This is
extremely important because this inevitably will lead to a shorter life expectancy for those who
have mitochondrial diseases. Organ failure is a serious condition because patients are not always
able to gain access to a donor organ or transplant. In some cases, mitochondrial diseases cause
organ failure in more than one organ system. This can make things complicated because if
getting one replacement organ is hard, getting more than one is even harder. According to an
unknown author at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “an average twenty-two
people die each day while waiting for a transplant.” An average number every parent would hate
to see regarding their child’s life. By removing the mutation in a child’s DNA, this ensures the
child will have an incredibly small chance of passing the mutation to their child. Genetic
engineering technology gives scientists and health care providers chance to eradicated diseases
that have no cure. This can stop diseases from becoming existent in the first place. There is no
need for a cure when the mutation can be eliminated before the human is created.
Comfort cannot be found when a parent knows their child is sick and cannot be helped. This
technology and these procedures help parents protect their children. This also prevents pain and
suffering in families.
Contrary to the belief that designer baby technology can help the upcoming generations,
much of its criticism is in regards to the effect this technology will have on society. Will designer
babies create an elite category in society? The possibility of creating a further divide between
rich and poor is concerning. An unknown author at the National Infertility Association states that
“the average cost of an IVF cycle using fresh embryos (not including medications) is $8,158.”
While the “average additional cost of PGD procedure is $3,550.” Not all families have the funds
to afford these procedures to ensure that their babies are disease free, healthy, and more. It is
obvious that not all parents will have the privilege of choosing the genetic makeup of their
children. Rahul Thadani, author of the article The Public Should Oppose Designer Baby
Technology, argues that there is a strong possibility of society’s future shadowing Aldous Huxley
novel Brave New World from 1932. Thadini summarizes the novel as “a satirical look into a
Utopian society, where people were segregated on the basis of genetic modifications that they
were subjected to as embryos. The end result was a seriously disillusioned world where these
modifications brought on a revival of the dark ages.” Healthier children could change society as
we know it for the worst. Is genetic modification in human embryos unethical? Some argue that
there are other ways to ensure healthy children. Sheldon Krimsky, author of Against Designer
Babies, argues that “there are safer and more dependable methods for preventing the birth of a
child with a severe genetic abnormality; [Simply by not implanting a genetic abnormal embryo.]
This is a safer alternative route to having a healthy child. Krimsky also states that a clinical trial
for such a procedure is entirely unethical. Animal studies would not suffice for an experiment
like this. Only human embryos would provide the information needed to explore the procedure.
Krimpsky says the clinical trial presumably will consist of “a few dozen fertilized human eggs or
embryos, where half would be genetically modified, all would be carried to term, and the
development of the children would be followed throughout their lives to determine whether the
genetic modification worked and worked safely.” The description of a clinical study for genetic
modifications in human embryos does not align with the ethics guidelines. Genetic engineering
in humans may be a great risk to society’s future and serve as unpleasing regarding ethical
guidelines.
In conclusion, designer baby technology has the potential to do amazing and terrible
things. In vitro fertilization, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, and genetic engineering work
hand-in-hand to create designer babies. Designer babies promote the possibility of a greater
future. This technology can produce healthier, stronger, smarter, and more attractive children.
Future generations have the potential to live longer lives, disease free, and more successful. The
ultimate goal of designer baby technology is to eliminate inherited health conditions and
diseases. Giving parents an option to pick and choose the features of their child would be an
extra bonus. However, critics argue that this technology is unethical and may pose a threat to
society. The technology may be unethical in regards to how the clinical studies would be
conducted. Not only would the clinical studies be unethical but the process itself is an act against
nature. In addition, critics argue that designer babies will create an elite classification in our
society; creating a bigger gap between rich and poor or children who have been genetically
modified versus those who have not. Designer baby technology can truthfully help people and
create a healthier and stronger population.
