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Our project explains what designer babies are and what they could mean for future generations through discussion about the recent advancements in genetic engineering technology, the arguments surrounding the benefits designer babies could have both medically and socially. We do this whilst recognising the arguments against designer babies and genetic engineering. We also explore the ethical issues that have arisen around the procedure. Further, there are religious morals that oppose the procedure, and we consider these views and the reasoning behind them for each religion. Designer babies could be the key to life-changing medical advancements that could result in many lives being prolonged and given a chance of old age rather than certain death. Not only could designer babies themselves be healthy, but they could also help others through organ transplants, bone marrow transfusion or blood donation. They could benefit genetic lineage, creating genetic lines consisting of only healthy genes and eliminate the concern of genetic disease being life-limiting. However, technology is not fully advanced and at a price that is only obtainable to the uppermost classes, the procedure is not ready to be openly available.
Do you think striving towards the prevention of birth defects through the genetic engineering of babies should be more important than/happen before society’s attitude towards people with disabilities or those who need extra care changes, and we make the appropriate adjustments necessary for living? Are these two things mutually exclusive or can they happen simultaneously?
This is an example of an ethical issue raised regarding designer babies – should we learn to love and accept “imperfections” or should we change/prevent them? On the one hand, it can be argued that if science can prevent a disability that may negatively impact somebody’s life, then why not go ahead with that? But on the other hand, it can be argued that disabilities should be loved, embraced and appreciated. Personally, I don’t think this is linked with how society views those with disabilities or extra care needs – I think it’s more to do with the parental worry of how life will be more difficult for them and their child.
I think both of these things can happen simultaneously in my opinion it very much depends on what the defect or illness is. In the case of degenerative diseases like Huntingtons where the body is subject to a great deal of suffering and pain then more importance should be shown on its prevention. With things such as deafness or dwarfism for example there is a difference in the human experience however its only societies response to these defects that really cause the suffering therefore more importance can be put on necessary adjustments.
When (and if) designing your own babies becomes possible for the public, in what way would you see this implemented? Would it be regulated by the government and be exclusively state mandated, or would it be more like plastic surgery, being offered by private owned companies?
I think that if designer babies are to become an available practice, due to the cost I see them becoming something that only privately owned companies can provide to those who are wealthy enough to be able to afford it. In this case I see this happening to cure illnesses but also despite being, in my opinion, unethical – I also see the wealthier classes creating designer babies just so they can pick characteristics and traits. However I also believe there is a possibility that in the UK the NHS may be able to offer it as a procedure covered by public healthcare to those with life-limiting conditions.
What are your personal feelings about designer babies? would you choose to use gene editing for your children? if so, what for?