Genetic Engineering The Perfect Child Essay example

Modern society has an unquestionable preoccupation with perfection. Indulging in our vanities with things such as plastic surgery, veneers, botox, collagen, hair dye, and so on, have become a part of the socially acceptable norm. People do these things, and more, in an attempt to become their ideal selves. However, many are taking these practices to a completely new extreme, and are not stopping at just altering their own physical characteristics. With recent advances in medical science and technology, couples are now able to genetically modify embryos to create their ideal children. From gender, to eye color, hair color, height, body shape, and more, modern parents have the ability to leave little up to nature and take the designing of†¦show more content†¦Is it better to be red-headed than it is to be brown-haired? Is it better to have freckles or not?† A common fear many share regarding the topic of designer babies is the kind of impression this will have on future generations. If several babies started being produced via PGD, children who do not have desirable traits may feel inferior to the children who were engineered to have said desirable traits. Richard Hayes made the statement, â€Å"[The Center for Genetics and Society believes using Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis] for non-medical, cosmetic purposes, would undermine humanity and create a techno-eugenic rat race.† Hayes continues, This runs many risks†¦ The technologies are going to be accessible to affluent couples and would be used in ways that could increase inequality. The last thing we need now is a genetic elite.† In addition, many feel apprehension regarding what type of affect a preference can result in. Something to consider, if a parent has a child that does not have the characteristics they wanted, would they love the child less or treat it any differently? â€Å"This can lead to false expectations on children,† Caplan explained, â€Å"The paren ts may pick a child to be smart, and he or she doesnt succeed, then they become upset because they invested money and didnt get what they want.† According to Dr. Caplan, thisShow MoreRelatedDesigner Babies: What is Ethical? Essay977 Words   |  4 Pagesmoments before. The baby is the picture of health, and looks perfect in every way. This scenario seems only to exist in a dream, however, the option to design a child has already become a reality in the near future. Parents may approach a similar scenario every day in the future as if choosing a child’s characteristics were a normal way of life. The use of genetic engineering should not give parents the choice to design their child because of the act of humans belittling and â€Å"playing† God, theRead MoreSuperhuman By Choice Or Genes?1716 Words   |  7 PagesMichael Sandel Through the breakthrough of genetic engineering and the aspiration for â€Å"the perfect human being†, the strive for perfection has no boundaries. But what is the definition of perfect and what models perfection? In the article, â€Å"The Case Against Perfection,† Michael Sandel argues against the negative affects of genetic enhancement and engineering. Sandel gives a philosophical view on two out of many different examples of genetic engineering, from high performance athletes to- what SandelRead MoreThe Case Against Perfection by Michael Sandel983 Words   |  4 PagesPerfection: Ethics in the Age of Genetic Engineering, in which he explains unethical implications biotechnology has and may have in the near future regarding genetic engineering. The ethics behind genetic engineering have been discussed and argued for years now. Some arguing points often include competitive advantages, playing God, and the polarization of society, but Sandel takes a different approach in explaining society’s â€Å"unease† with the morality of genetic engineering. Broadcasted through severalRead MoreDesigner Babies Essay863 Words   |  4 PagesDesigner Babies Since the time DNA was discovered, genetic modification has been advancing in our world. Around the late 20th century designing babies became a new topic. Genetic engineering is a powerful and potentially very dangerous tool. To alter the sequence of nucleotides of the DNA that code for the structure of complex living organisms, can have extremely ill effects although the potential benefits can be huge. Today’s advances in gene therapy make it possible to remove bad genes andRead MoreGenetic Engineering : The Future Of The Human Race994 Words   |  4 PagesGenetic Engineering? No Way The future of the human race is in your hands. Though it may not feel that way in your everyday routines, the decisions you make will distinctively impact your children’s live, their children’s lives, etc. Genetic engineering is sparking questions among the human race whether or not it is the next step. Creating a test tube baby I in order for parents to conceive a child is one thing but genetically modifying the human race is against human nature. Genetic engineeringRead MoreGenetic Engineering: Designer Babies Essay690 Words   |  3 Pagestraits and other physical appearances are placed out across the page. When they fill questions out, a baby appears as it was described just before. The baby is in the picture of health, and looks perfect in every way. The use of genetic engineering shouldnt give parents the choice to design their child because of the act of humans â€Å"playing† God, the ethics involved in interfering with human lives, and the dangers of changing human genes. Because of recent technological advances in designer babiesRead MoreDesigner Babies Essay905 Words   |  4 Pagesartistic, female. Congratulations, you’ve just created what you think is the perfect child. However, there is one small problem with this plan; someone has already tried to create the perfect human. His name is Adolf Hitler. Designer Babies, a form of human genetic engineering, should be banned. When a human is created with a different embryo in a lab that child can feel a lost sense of identity; also, genetic engineering can lead to a loss of human diversity and an imbalance between the socialRead MoreGenetic Engineering Is Responsible And Manipulating The Genes Of An Organism1707 Words   |  7 Pages but technological advancements in the medical and scientific fields have allowed this as a possible option for potential parents. Genetic engineering is controlling and manipulating the genes of an organism. Genetic engineering is usually used to improve the organism’s functions; these organisms are known as genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Genetic engineering is commonly used for the food industry. One benefit that results from genetically modified foods is the lowered prices for the productsRead MoreNegative Impact Of Manipulating Human Genetics1453 Words   |  6 Pages Negative Impact of Manipulating Human Genetics Twenty five years ago Genetic Engineering was a scene from an unrealistic invention on a scene from a science fiction movie. However, recent scientific advancements, genetic engineering, is becoming more of a reality rather than a fantasy. Genetic Engineering was once an actually impractical thought, today it is a prominent issue around the world. The most controversial subject of genetic engineering deals with the impact that manipulation ofRead MoreEssay on Genetic Engineering: The Impact of Human Manipulation1710 Words   |  7 Pagesof a reality rather than a fantasy. Nevertheless, only about twenty-five years ago, genetic engineering fell into this same, idealistic category. Although genetic engineering was once a totally impractical thought, today, it is a prominent issue around the world. The most controversial subject of genetic engineering deals with the impact that the manipulation of humans will have on the earth. The genetic engineering of humans will negatively imp act the world due to the resulting social issues, religious