The Pros And Cons Of Designer Babies

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Designer babies are one of the latest scientific advancements, but is it ethical? The process of creating designer babies uses genetic engineering and in vitro fertilization (IVF) to alter the genes and give specific traits. The practice of IVF gives the ability to pre-select the embryos, and their traits, before they are implanted in the mother. While it is true that genetically modifying fetuses could benefit the world, it is unethical because it can have consequences on human evolution and could unintentionally modify other genes. Genetically modifying babies can have negative consequences on human evolution.
Effects of Genetic engineering include overpopulation, decrease in individuality, and possible damage to gene pools (Hansen). The diversity of human genetics will be affected, including the genes that help fight certain diseases; this could lead to a major percent of the human race being eradicated by some major disease (Thadani). Certain genes act as stepping stones that help humans adapt to new climates, diseases etc. Without these genes, or even exposure to certain diseases that fetus’s get genetically from the mother, the gene pool will be altered and make it harder for not only the altered generation but generations to follow. Changing certain genes in children can have alter the course of human evolution and following
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It is true that there are many benefits of genetically engineering children, like the fact the genetically inherited diseases and/or disabilities can be removed (Edwards). For this reason genetically modifying children could be allowed in some cases; however, the practice should not be widely practiced since there are too many variables and if used too much, the results could be disastrous. In some cases, genetically modifying children could be beneficial, but there is just too much