Introduction:
There are ethical debates about whether or not genetically altering babies is right or wrong. Some argue that the programs used like genepeeks, invade the baby's autonomy. Others think that other technology like IVF, give the world of genetics the stepping stones to greatness. Do the benefits from figuring out this development still sound morally right?
-Written By Taylor C.
-Written By Taylor C.
Philosophical Arguments For Designer Babies
MAXIMIZING HAPPINESS:
Designer babies can create a society that is free from diseases , disabilities , and inherited genetic conditions like diabetes or sickle cell anaemia. Being able to pursue this type of science will obviously maximize utility as well as pave a better path for our understanding of genetics.The concept of “maximizing happiness” goes hand and hand with the program explained above, Genepeeks. Genepeeks opens the doors to many pro arguments, some include preventing diseases, getting rid of inherited conditions, and overall having healthy children. All these supporting claims propel the next generation into a world that is free from disease, judgement, and disaster.
-Written By Taylor C.
Designer babies can create a society that is free from diseases , disabilities , and inherited genetic conditions like diabetes or sickle cell anaemia. Being able to pursue this type of science will obviously maximize utility as well as pave a better path for our understanding of genetics.The concept of “maximizing happiness” goes hand and hand with the program explained above, Genepeeks. Genepeeks opens the doors to many pro arguments, some include preventing diseases, getting rid of inherited conditions, and overall having healthy children. All these supporting claims propel the next generation into a world that is free from disease, judgement, and disaster.
-Written By Taylor C.
INSTRUMENTAL REASON - Pro Claim
Instrumental reason justifies the ethical arguments about embryos being altered and designer babies in general. Instrumental reason refers to the human capacity to use nature for specific purposes. For example, IVF procedures are mainly used as a last resort for parents who cannot conceive a child. . As humans have evolved, we have in some way or another resorted to environmental changes that have helped us keep improving. Whether it be picking sperm donors, or altering an embryo, they all chalk up as human beings doing what they have always done - using human reason for instrumental ends (creating a child).
-Written By Taylor C.
Instrumental reason justifies the ethical arguments about embryos being altered and designer babies in general. Instrumental reason refers to the human capacity to use nature for specific purposes. For example, IVF procedures are mainly used as a last resort for parents who cannot conceive a child. . As humans have evolved, we have in some way or another resorted to environmental changes that have helped us keep improving. Whether it be picking sperm donors, or altering an embryo, they all chalk up as human beings doing what they have always done - using human reason for instrumental ends (creating a child).
-Written By Taylor C.
Philosophical Arguments Against Designer Babies
AUTONOMY- Con Claim
A concept that relates to the issue of trait selection is Autonomy. Autonomy is the right or condition of self- government. This means that every person is capable of making decisions for themselves. It can help us think about the company Genepeeks. Their technology, Matchright brings up a couple of arguments against genetic enchancement. In some cases, when couples decide to use the Matchright technology they do it for their benefit, often without thinking about their unborn baby. By this they are going against their future baby's autonomy - they are violating another human beings choices, simply acting upon their desires. It can also lead to the separation of social classes. These technologies/procedures are costly and more on the expensive side. By making them expensive it can categorize people as poor and wealthy. It makes way for the ones who can afford it and restricts couples from fulfilling their choice of having a child. It doesn’t allow them to be autonomous beings.
-Written By Darcy M.
A concept that relates to the issue of trait selection is Autonomy. Autonomy is the right or condition of self- government. This means that every person is capable of making decisions for themselves. It can help us think about the company Genepeeks. Their technology, Matchright brings up a couple of arguments against genetic enchancement. In some cases, when couples decide to use the Matchright technology they do it for their benefit, often without thinking about their unborn baby. By this they are going against their future baby's autonomy - they are violating another human beings choices, simply acting upon their desires. It can also lead to the separation of social classes. These technologies/procedures are costly and more on the expensive side. By making them expensive it can categorize people as poor and wealthy. It makes way for the ones who can afford it and restricts couples from fulfilling their choice of having a child. It doesn’t allow them to be autonomous beings.
-Written By Darcy M.
NATURE- Con Claim
Nature can be another key factor of designer babies. In vitro fertilization eliminates the notion of conceiving naturally. The definition of nature is “Inborn or hereditary characteristics as an influence of personality”. In other words being born with traits without the help of technological advances. Some argue that In vitro fertilization is a procedure that goes against natural law because as mentioned before, some cases they are often unsuccessful. Many would agree that the rate of IVF deaths is higher than natural birth deaths. By having a child naturally it reduces the risks of failure.
- Written By Darcy M.
Nature can be another key factor of designer babies. In vitro fertilization eliminates the notion of conceiving naturally. The definition of nature is “Inborn or hereditary characteristics as an influence of personality”. In other words being born with traits without the help of technological advances. Some argue that In vitro fertilization is a procedure that goes against natural law because as mentioned before, some cases they are often unsuccessful. Many would agree that the rate of IVF deaths is higher than natural birth deaths. By having a child naturally it reduces the risks of failure.
- Written By Darcy M.
Resources:
Resource 1: Video Source
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/video/designer-babies-10427164
In this interview published on ABS news in 2010, Dr. Katie Boyle, a doctor at Greater Baltimore Medical Center, talks about the new breakthrough of taking away genetic diseases, like mitochondria, before the embryo is conceived. Boyle explains how mitochondria doesn’t have any solid cures, so the best way to prevent this from affecting 1 in every 4 children is to take it out of the cell before its developed. This video made me see how altering embryos can save lives, and doesn't always have to been seen as a destructive process. Although the opinion was a bit biased, I was able to hear one of the many pros. I was also able to relate this back to my philosophical topic of maximizing happiness. By following through with this procedure, children would not have to suffer the symptoms that can come as early as 10 year old.
-Written By Taylor C.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/video/designer-babies-10427164
In this interview published on ABS news in 2010, Dr. Katie Boyle, a doctor at Greater Baltimore Medical Center, talks about the new breakthrough of taking away genetic diseases, like mitochondria, before the embryo is conceived. Boyle explains how mitochondria doesn’t have any solid cures, so the best way to prevent this from affecting 1 in every 4 children is to take it out of the cell before its developed. This video made me see how altering embryos can save lives, and doesn't always have to been seen as a destructive process. Although the opinion was a bit biased, I was able to hear one of the many pros. I was also able to relate this back to my philosophical topic of maximizing happiness. By following through with this procedure, children would not have to suffer the symptoms that can come as early as 10 year old.
-Written By Taylor C.
Resource 2: Article Source
https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/ethics-designer-babies
This paper from Arizona State University, School of Life Sciences Center for Biology and Society, specifically talks about IVF and the ethical claims around it. IVF is a medical procedure that helps parents who can’t have children. This paper covers the facts, pros, cons, and a case study. This article is extremely easy to follow as well as has key information that gives the reader an in depth perspective of IVF. This article gave me a clear understanding on how to cover a complex subject like IVF without a biased view. Relating this back to a philosophical topic, nurture was one that I was able to make the most connections with. This development is taking a natural process and giving the parents who can’t, an opportunity.
-Written By Taylor C.
https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/ethics-designer-babies
This paper from Arizona State University, School of Life Sciences Center for Biology and Society, specifically talks about IVF and the ethical claims around it. IVF is a medical procedure that helps parents who can’t have children. This paper covers the facts, pros, cons, and a case study. This article is extremely easy to follow as well as has key information that gives the reader an in depth perspective of IVF. This article gave me a clear understanding on how to cover a complex subject like IVF without a biased view. Relating this back to a philosophical topic, nurture was one that I was able to make the most connections with. This development is taking a natural process and giving the parents who can’t, an opportunity.
-Written By Taylor C.
Resource 3: Video Source
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ixEDLa3Jlc
In this News interview Dr. Jeff Steinberg the Director of Fertility Institutes addresses the technology In vitro fertilization and in the short coming years we will be able to select the sex of a baby with 100% certainty. In addition, Arthur Caplan the Director of the center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania addresses the ethical issues regarding trait selection and responding to Dr. Steinberg’s opinion on sex selection. This video helped me understand the topic of In vitro fertilization and professionals opinion on the overarching concern. It took two sides of designer babies, both the science aspect as well as the philosophical and combined them in an informative conveying way.
- Written By Darcy M.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ixEDLa3Jlc
In this News interview Dr. Jeff Steinberg the Director of Fertility Institutes addresses the technology In vitro fertilization and in the short coming years we will be able to select the sex of a baby with 100% certainty. In addition, Arthur Caplan the Director of the center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania addresses the ethical issues regarding trait selection and responding to Dr. Steinberg’s opinion on sex selection. This video helped me understand the topic of In vitro fertilization and professionals opinion on the overarching concern. It took two sides of designer babies, both the science aspect as well as the philosophical and combined them in an informative conveying way.
- Written By Darcy M.
Resource 4: Book Source
‘Justice’ a book written by Michael J. Sandel a political philosopher writes about the philosophy Utilitarianism. Utilitarianism serves as the basis of maximizing happiness. It incorporates further concepts such as Individual Liberty, Pleasure & Pain, and Higher Pleasures. Maximizing Happiness ties into the technology of In vitro fertilization very well, it represents the amount of couples who choose to forgo the procedure, it increases the happiness of society. This book helped me get a better understanding of the concepts and connect it to our technology. Each chapter had subtopics with what each concept meant and an example of how it’s being used in modern society.
-Written By Darcy M.
‘Justice’ a book written by Michael J. Sandel a political philosopher writes about the philosophy Utilitarianism. Utilitarianism serves as the basis of maximizing happiness. It incorporates further concepts such as Individual Liberty, Pleasure & Pain, and Higher Pleasures. Maximizing Happiness ties into the technology of In vitro fertilization very well, it represents the amount of couples who choose to forgo the procedure, it increases the happiness of society. This book helped me get a better understanding of the concepts and connect it to our technology. Each chapter had subtopics with what each concept meant and an example of how it’s being used in modern society.
-Written By Darcy M.
Glossary:
Note- Taking Guide:
- Maximizing Happiness - A theory in ethics stating that the best moral action is the one that maximizes utility (happiness).
- Autonomy - The state in which an individual governs themselves apart from others.
- Nature - Being born with traits without the help of technological advances.
- Nurture - The influence of external factors after conception.
Note- Taking Guide: