Genetic Modification

Designer Babies “Gerber may have thought of it first decades ago, but at least 50 medical centers today… could claim the motto ‘babies are our business’” (Moira). Throughout history, there have been countless improvements and advancements in technology throughout the medical field. Most of these technologies have proven to be successful and productive, although some technologies haven’t led to be as helpful. One invention on the horizon in genetics that will add yet another technological failure in the health industry is genetic engineering. Genetic engineering has been known to be used on plants and food, but what about babies? Yes, babies are beginning to be genetically modified to look however the parents want them to. By altering the genotype in a test-tube of the DNA before an embryo is implanted, it can influence the phenotype, or appearance, of that child when it is full grown. “Since the first "test-tube" baby was born in England in 1978, more than 700 such babies have been born around the world -- more than 100 here, with many more currently pregnant” (Moira). Genetically modified babies are a topic that many scientists have spent their entire career researching. It began in 1989 with researcher Steven A. Rosenberg of the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda and since then has rapidly expanded (Edelstein 597). Genetic engineering has not yet surfaced because all of the clinical trials have failed and it should stay un-surfaced. The result of this new technological degeneration will have many negative outcomes in society as a whole. Also, it will come along with many risky and dangerous consequences if these procedures are implemented. No matter what the pros of this topic are, the risks and societal impacts will outweigh them immensely. Genetic engineering will have a very negative impact on today’s society. With the implementation of genetic engineering, it will create a sense of competition and higher expectations for society. Researchers and

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