Genetic Pathways Inc.: Designer Babies & Human Genetic Technology

Designer Babies:

A Designer Baby is a baby who is genetically engineered in vitro for selected traits, which can vary from reduced risk of certain diseases to picking male/female gender. Before genetic engineering and in vitro fertilization started, designer babies just something found in a science fiction book or movie.

Pros:

Help biologists understand genetics better
Lengthen lifespan approximately 30 years (human)
It might help prevent genetic diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s Disease, Downs syndrome, and many other debilitating conditions
Reduce the risk of inherited conditions like anemia, obesity, diabetes, cancer, etc.
"Enhanced" children if traits are selected
Genetically engineering babies are an option. For those who don't agree with the ethics of this approach, they can have their child the usual way (random).
Some science supports taking folate during pregnancy to lower the risk of a child developing autism. Such an approach is considered ethically acceptable.
The parents can genetically engineer some features of their baby, and not others.
The government does not have regulation regarding the means of reproduction. Thus, children can be given genes that they do not currently have.

Cons:

Genetic engineers are not perfect people, and cannot evaluate 100% of every gene.
If the process is not done carefully, the embryo could be accidentally terminated.
The technology used is not 100% safe yet. It is still considered in the experimental stage.
A baby cannot consent to have its body altered; therefore some do not believe it’s right as parents because do not “own” their children. The child has not chance to speak for him or herself
Parents may use this technology for vain purposes, they may want a blonde haired, blue eyed baby for appearance concerns only. Natural variation may be limited.
They could create another potential division in society. “Designer” babies would most likely be better looking, smarter, etc. This would create “classes” between designer and nondesigner babies.
Because the technology is so new, it is unknown whether the babies will affect the gene pool. This may cause unforeseen challenges later within the family tree.
Because most people will seek out good-looking, intelligent babies with other optimum characteristics, everyone will be relatively similar.
This procedure is not cheap, and not everyone would be able to afford it. Could create prejudice between “Designer” and “nondesigner” babies nd or cause people to over-spend to get a babay they can't afford.