Tomorrow's Children

Ruthie’s story in the article, Tomorrow’s Children, shifted my view on gene editing technology to a position in which I have become more accepting of disabilities because of the benefits they contribute to society. If Ruthie’s parents would have had the option to edit her condition of blindness before birth, it could have potentially, “erased some of the things that make Ruthie special” (Hayden pg. 403). Her trait of determination is a prime example of what makes her special. She was able to overcome the challenges her disability presented and become a star on her basketball team. This may not seem like a big accomplishment at first, but taking into account she is legally blind and is still learning to read at the age of 9, the success she has experienced with basketball was a groundbreaking achievement for her. More importantly, her traits exhibited had a significant impact on her parents. This impact makes Ruthie and others alike with disabilities special because it, “remind other people how to care for others” (Hayden pg. 404). Without these disabilities existing, certain positive
qualities that we display in response to others in need of help would diminish. This expands beyond people with disabilities and can include those who are financially unstable or any other state a person can be in which intervention is vital. I am able to personally relate to the impact someone with a disability can have on others and why individuals with disabilities are so special.
As part of the motor development course I took last spring, we spent time each week mentoring students at the Gearity Professional Development school. Each of us were assigned to a student and it was our task to develop lesson plans in order to achieve personal goals that were established when initially accessing our student’s motor skills. When surpassing the goals I set for my designated child, it brought a great amount joy, specifically when I was told by an observing teacher that I had encouraged my child to accomplish things he had never done before. This experience was truly life changing for me and I believe it made me a better person as a result by showing how valuable all human life is, no matter what title society places on
them. It surprised me in the Carroll and Charo essay when Rabbi Elliot Dorff said that we are, “the partner of God in the ongoing act of creation” (Carroll and Charo pg. 6). This is a very controversial statement and it displays a much larger conflict that is faced that has a major influence on when and where gene editing will be introduced. It goes to show that people around the world do not share a common ground on the issue of creating and modifying life. While some religions may see this technology as us trying to play the role of God, others may see it as being an assistant to God. The previous quote was inspired by the Koran, which is a sacred Islamic book.