Designer Baby

A designer baby is defined in the dictionary to be “a baby developing from an embryo created in-vitro fertilisation and selected because it had or lacked particular genes, the genetic makeup often having been modified by genetic engineering.” This term is simply referring to the newly scientific developed process providing a chance that would enable parents to genetically modify their child whilst it is still in the form of an embryo. The overall idea on this topic that is being raised at this present moment is the discussion of whether or not to permit people to determine their children’s genes, which would help immensely in lowering the risks of various diseases. The positives are endless for it may help parents rid a hereditary disease, or provide chance for saving a child that may need a bone marrow transfer, to the less extreme ideas of being able to determine the sex of your child as well as the colour of their eyes and hair. Although despite the positives there are various negatives that need to be taken into perspective and be properly analysed. The three major categories for the negatives are the moral and ethical, social, and health concerns. The controversy on the issue is considering all possible factors that can occur if they give the go on ‘designer babies’ in Australia, not only do they have the positives and negatives in front of them but some evidence and real life results that will help them reach a concise conclusion.

First let us assess the positives involved with designer babies. One that is widely viewed to be one of the main positives that come from this process is the fact that for some parents by choosing their child’s genes they will be able to eliminate the chances of inheriting a disease which may be common throughout the history of their family tree. By the end of 2001 it was recorded that there was the successful birth of at least 30 genetically modified babies in the US. The process consisted of the offspring carrying DNA from