Designer Babies
Oxford dictionary defines this phrase as:
"a baby whose genetic make-up has been selected in order to eradicate a particular defect or to ensure that a particular gene is present"
This means, we can use genetic interventions to select against genetic abnormalities, and potentially eradicate fatal genetic conditions or inherited disabilities. However, many people are worried that parents might choose their children’s genes, for non-medical reasons, such as certain enhanced traits.
Currently, other than selecting for specific genes to prevent inheritable diseases and the gender of the unborn child, it is not possible to design an embryo, where we can determine in advance what talents, abilities, or virtues the child will have. Most traits are not single-gene traits and we would have to analyze many genes to find that one trait, and thousands of embryos would be needed. In addition, genes may play a role in the traits we have, but our individuality is the result of multiple genes interacting with each other, and all of them interacting with the environment.
"a baby whose genetic make-up has been selected in order to eradicate a particular defect or to ensure that a particular gene is present"
This means, we can use genetic interventions to select against genetic abnormalities, and potentially eradicate fatal genetic conditions or inherited disabilities. However, many people are worried that parents might choose their children’s genes, for non-medical reasons, such as certain enhanced traits.
Currently, other than selecting for specific genes to prevent inheritable diseases and the gender of the unborn child, it is not possible to design an embryo, where we can determine in advance what talents, abilities, or virtues the child will have. Most traits are not single-gene traits and we would have to analyze many genes to find that one trait, and thousands of embryos would be needed. In addition, genes may play a role in the traits we have, but our individuality is the result of multiple genes interacting with each other, and all of them interacting with the environment.