We conceivably create children who are perfect genetically -- but never have another Einstein, a man who had weaknesses as well as strengths. Hidden in such notions is the idea that people with any kind of difference or disability are somehow defective. In the United States we have put a lot of time and effort into creating a country that gives people with disabilities access to a normal or near-normal life. Buses have mini-elevators so people using wheelchairs can board the bus. Stores, hotels and places of entertainment are all required to be accessible for all. If the time comes that no children are born with physical limitations, will we give this policy up? If so, those who become disabled later in life, for instance, from an accident, have to lead more restricted lives because of less pressure to provide public access for the reduced number of people needing those accommodations? In a world where most handicaps could be eliminated, would those few who remain be looked down on because of their presumably inferior genes?

While science cannot alter genes in human embryos -- yet -- we can selectively terminate an embryo, or allow it to continue to develop -- based on its genetic makeup. In fact, in 2002, a hospital in Scotland was issued a license by the British government to do exactly that (STAFF, 2002). They say they will not be creating "designer babies," but only allowing parents to avoid bringing babies into the world who are doomed to have some serious genetic disorder. Critics say that such an approach devalues the lives of all people with disabilities (STAFF, 2002). In countries where health care is strongly controlled by health insurance, such as the United States, such choices will likely only be available to wealthier parents, introducing...

Being born with a genetic illness will be a matter of class as well as of finances. In the worst-case scenarios, eventually those who can afford the genetic manipulations will have children with enhanced abilities and diminished flaws, while the rest of the population will have to let nature take its course.
We may not know as much as we think we know about genetic management. Sickle cell anemia is a devastating illness, one acquired when both parents carry the trait. However, having the trait alone gives the person protection against Malaria. While Malaria is not a big concern in the United States, it's a devastating illness in some parts of the world. What other genes might we weed out only to find later on that they had positive as well as negative effects?

Jurassic Park was a fictional movie, but one based on a scientific truth: that we cannot always predict all the consequences of the things we do, including genetic manipulation. Experts predict that we will be able to change the genetics of unborn children within the next generation. Most people might agree that if we can eliminate Hunting's Chorea, this would e an acceptable use of genetic science. Many people would include cystic fibrosis as something worth eliminating, even though many people with CF are living well into adulthood now. Before we sanitize the genes of our children, we had better do the best we can to predict all the outcomes of those actions.

SOURCES

Jonietz, Erika. 2003. "Choosing our children's genetic futures." Technology Review, Feb.

Staff. 2002. "Designer Babies Licence Granted; Hospital Gets OK." Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland), April 12.