Genetically modifying babies: Do you agree or disagree?

[Cicero]

Science had made great strides toward genetically modifying babies before they are born. What they are wanting to do is genetically modify the embryo/sperm/fetus to make the baby have specific traits, such as a boy or girl, black or blonde hair, or even personality traits such as being athletic. There is also a very good side to this, because they are learning how to change the babies genetic makeup and make them prone to different diseases such as Cancer, Diabetes, or Cystic Fibrosis.

Do you agree with doing these procedures to make babies have specific traits? Would you do it?


I think all of it is really cool, and I would probably do it to my own child. The only thing that I would be worried about is if it made my child deformed or it made their life span shorter. If so, I wouldn't do it. But if the baby would grow up to live a normal healthy life, then I would do it.

[Twilly F. Sniper]

I'm split on this one. I see the advantage stated.
But I also see that it could do harm. But this would be avoided with a doctor, expert in his practice AND genetics. There is a great likelihood that the process will mess up the genes and cause genetic disorder, which include cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia.

[Human]

If they can master it, why not. As long as the parents get a choice. If it improves the childs life, why not.

[Professional Russian]

So like get rid of mental disorders too?

[Desuetude]

There is also a very good side to this, because they are learning how to change the babies genetic makeup and make them prone to different diseases such as Cancer, Diabetes, or Cystic Fibrosis.
Being prone to diseases isn't a good thing, making babies more liable to them is a pretty stupid thing to do but I don't know whether that was you getting confused or they really would have a higher risk of obtaining life threatening diseases.

I don't think it's the best idea. If we allow this in the future people will be trying to make 'perfect' babies and really it's just going to wreck society. I see no need to tamper with life and make these kids grow up to be something they shouldn't have been. It just seems inhumane to me. Sure it might start out changing small things like hair or eye colour but in the end it's always going to advance and in the end we'll just end up changing the child altogether so they're nothing like their parents. Imagine that, it wouldn't even be your child, almost as if you were adopting. I'd never be for this idea.

[Silicate Wielder]

Okay, here is how I look at it. Even though it is possible there are still morality issues

Genetically modify them because we can and want our children to have the looks or personality we want them to have: No way, not only is it wrong its tears the child's freedom right from him/her the moment the new DNA is injected. basically forcing the child to grow up exactly how you want personality wise.

Genetically modify them to help cure genetic defects: Sure, get rid of the cancer that runs in your family thats in your child? By all means go ahead.

Genetically modify them to make them to make them immune to certain diseases: Sure

Personally It all depends on the circumstances.

If its just to see what we can do I consider it wrong.
If its for the child's well being physically, I don't see a problem with it as long as it isn't ridiculous like giving your child wings or 4 arms.

[Cicero]

Being prone to diseases isn't a good thing, making babies more liable to them is a pretty stupid thing to do but I don't know whether that was you getting confused or they really would have a higher risk of obtaining life threatening diseases.

I don't think it's the best idea. If we allow this in the future people will be trying to make 'perfect' babies and really it's just going to wreck society. I see no need to tamper with life and make these kids grow up to be something they shouldn't have been. It just seems inhumane to me. Sure it might start out changing small things like hair or eye colour but in the end it's always going to advance and in the end we'll just end up changing the child altogether so they're nothing like their parents. Imagine that, it wouldn't even be your child, almost as if you were adopting. I'd never be for this idea.

Well they mean born diseases like Cystic Fibrosis or Diabetes.


So like get rid of mental disorders too?
If you're born with it I said, meaning mental disease too.

[Desuetude]

Well they mean born diseases like Cystic Fibrosis or Diabetes.
So you would be willing to risk your children becoming more liable to these diseases that will have a monumental effect on their life just so you can choose the colour of their hair?

[Cicero]

So you would be willing to risk your children becoming more liable to these diseases that will have a monumental effect on their life just so you can choose the colour of their hair?

The only way to get Cystic Fibrosis and Diabetes Type 1 is being born with it. How do you know it would risk their life choosing hair color? I've already said that if it risks their life span or health, I wouldn't do it.

[LouBerry]

I don't think there is anything wrong with it I guess, if it doesn't hurt the child in any way. I don't think I would personally do it though.

[TheMatrix]

This sounds like the first event in a chain that starts the Fourth Reich. I don't think it's a good idea, but what can I do about it?

[Gigablue]

I think it would be incredibly useful. If you have the ability to give your child an advantage in life, why not do it?

We already have the technology to select embryos based on genetics. When doing IVF, embryos with genetic diseases are not used. There is no reason that this couldn't be expanded to allow parents to select for intelligence, athleticism and other desirable traits. The downside to this is that the parents must carry the trait desired. It is currently impossible to create new traits.

In the future, I think we will be able to insert any gene we want into a zygote, thus totally determining the genetic makeup of the child. This would allow them to have much greater abilities than people do now. I think that you have a responsibility to your children to give them the best opportunities in life. If modifying there genes gives them a significant advantage in life, who are you to hold them back.

The technology will be developed, whether we like it or not. We need to create a firm set of ethical guidelines to prevent it being abused.

[Cicero]

This sounds like the first event in a chain that starts the Fourth Reich. I don't think it's a good idea, but what can I do about it?

No, it's not the government it's the parents. It's nothing like communism.

[stev]

I think it would be great it terms of preventing illness like cancer . But I find it unethical for some reason I don't know why :$