Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Dolce and Gabbana Babies

This post topic as you may have guessed is designer babies, and I am not talking about the ones that wear Louis Vuitton. Designer babies must undergo genetic engineering before they are even conceived, commonly called germline manipulation. The egg and sperm that the child will eventually be made from are altered to add or remove genetic traits. For example if the parents carry a genetic disease such as hemophilia (a blood disorder) this can be removed from the genetic code before fertilization. This can also be use to add a gene that encodes for beautiful green eyes or increases the babies V02 max to make them a better athlete. Many people disagree what constitutes ethical behavior here. Some say this is all unethical. Who are we to mess with natures plan? Some say this is a multi billion dollar industry and there is no reason not push forward with the proper safety precautions. But the majority of people that I have met are somewhere in the middle believing that germline manipulation is ok if it makes the child more "normal". Then the question is what constitutes normal? For example is extreme shortness normal or should it be corrected by genetic engineering.

Another problem with this germline manipulation is that it can be very dangerous at least to begin with. When a bit of genetic code is sniped or added it can have effects other than those expected. This has been seen repeatedly when engineering plants. Bits of genetic code often encode for multiple traits. For example Lance Armstrong has an incredibly high VO2 max but he also had testicular cancer. The same bit of genetic code that gave him his VO2 max could have given him his cancer. I do not know if these things are actually related this is jut a theoretical example. A more extreme example can be seen in popular culture where genetic engineering to improve humans leads to hordes of zombie like creatures. I find this highly doubtful but genes are tricky things and you can never know the full extent of how they will effect someone without trying. Due to this fact not many parents are willing to be the first to try a new bit of genetic code in their child and those that are probably should not be parents.

Germline manipulation once it is perfected could lead to some great improvements in standard of living and overall happiness of people. People in general could have increased memory and focus, be less obese and naturally healthier, and be able to enjoy life to a greater extent.  
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4 comments:

  1. Benito El JefeFebruary 9, 2011 at 5:05 PM

    So the world of Gattaca is actually becoming a reality? I wonder if there will actually end up being separate classes of people based on their genetics. I, personally, am proud to be a "god-child."

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  2. aaroncowlesFebruary 10, 2011 at 9:48 AM

    If this industry even gets off the ground it is still going to be a while. We probably will not see a Gattaca in our lifetime. Also keep in mind that these genetic changes do not make people super human as Gattaca implies, they will just be able to make people better than average at best.

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  3. Michael MussoFebruary 10, 2011 at 3:05 PM

    The suggestion some people make that "nature has a plan" is ridiculous, as there is nothing planned when it comes to genetics, mutations, and evolution.

    I do agree that it is a serious health risk, as who knows what gene modifications will do. In nature, gene modifications occur, but if it is not a positive modification, or if it brings about disease, the mutated gene will not survive in the gene pool. If this industry ever forms, parents will have to assume the risk that their child may not survive, and attribute it to a poor mutation, just like what happens in nature.

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  4. Jen SchneiderFebruary 14, 2011 at 6:45 PM

    I also think about the social ramifications. In some cultures (places in India and China, for example) it was thought better to have boy children instead of girls, and infanticide became a real problem. To make matters worse, in some of those areas, the boys have grown up and there is a shortage of women for them to pair with. The result has been total upheaval. So I don't trust humans to pick the right balances, I guess, whether they're using genetic engineering or other means to make those choices. It's a quagmire.

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