Designer Babies

Abortion, euthanasia, genetic engineering, Just War theory and other such hot topics.

Moderators: AMod, iMod

Post Reply
commonsense
Posts: 5114
Joined: Sun Mar 26, 2017 6:38 pm

Designer Babies

Post by commonsense »

In utero gene intervention is already technically possible. Traits like hair and eye color can be manipulated--even the sex of the unborn child can be selected during pregnancy. In the not very distant future, gene therapy in the womb might be used to treat rare diseases or prevent major birth defects. Is this a medical miracle or a guiltless genocide? If technology has outpaced ethics and policy, is it too late to put the genie back in the bottle, so to speak?
User avatar
HexHammer
Posts: 3354
Joined: Sat May 14, 2011 8:19 pm
Location: Denmark

Re: Designer Babies

Post by HexHammer »

With gene editing we can remove all kinds of sickness and make people way more intelligent.

There are no wrongs in wanting certain traits, we already use plastic surgery to do this and that, not to speak about medication.
Impenitent
Posts: 4330
Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2010 2:04 pm

Re: Designer Babies

Post by Impenitent »

blonde hair and blue eyes for everyone...

-Imp
commonsense
Posts: 5114
Joined: Sun Mar 26, 2017 6:38 pm

Re: Designer Babies

Post by commonsense »

What if the parents were to decide they want to terminate the pregnancy because a particular defect or disease could not be completely remedied?
Walker
Posts: 14280
Joined: Thu Nov 05, 2015 12:00 am

Re: Designer Babies

Post by Walker »

commonsense wrote: Mon Aug 21, 2017 9:26 pm In utero gene intervention is already technically possible. Traits like hair and eye color can be manipulated--even the sex of the unborn child can be selected during pregnancy. In the not very distant future, gene therapy in the womb might be used to treat rare diseases or prevent major birth defects. Is this a medical miracle or a guiltless genocide? If technology has outpaced ethics and policy, is it too late to put the genie back in the bottle, so to speak?
Parents say that they are better human beings once a Down child becomes a part of their life.

The reason is apparent. They learn the superfluousness of form, via experience.

In genetically isolated Iceland, abortions are eliminating Down Syndrome babies.
Dalek Prime
Posts: 4922
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2015 4:48 am
Location: Living in a tree with Polly.

Re: Designer Babies

Post by Dalek Prime »

I want one with Gloria Vanderbilt tags.

Not really.
Walker
Posts: 14280
Joined: Thu Nov 05, 2015 12:00 am

Re: Designer Babies

Post by Walker »

Statement from President Donald J. Trump on Down Syndrome Awareness Month
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-of ... ness-month

“Sadly, there remain too many people – both in the United States and throughout the world – that still see Down syndrome as an excuse to ignore or discard human life.”

He goes right to the essence, to life, the measure of all things.
commonsense
Posts: 5114
Joined: Sun Mar 26, 2017 6:38 pm

Re: Designer Babies

Post by commonsense »

Has/will the technology of gene manipulation outpace ethical considerations? Will editing genes do more harm to the human species than good?
commonsense
Posts: 5114
Joined: Sun Mar 26, 2017 6:38 pm

Re: Designer Babies

Post by commonsense »

What is wrong with racial cleansing if everyone agrees on one set of racial characteristics?
Post Reply