Designer Babies: Ethics of Genetic Modification

Introduction: From Science Fiction to Scientific Reality

The idea of the designer baby used to belong squarely in the realm of science fiction. Choosing the characteristics of offspring — from gender to appearance — was something out of Star Trek. It seems unnatural for parents to simply pick and choose traits they find desirable in their children, as if they were at a car dealership selecting a new sedan. Yet what was once considered a far-fetched proposition is now drawing steadily closer to reality.

Still in the relatively early stages of scientific experimentation, geneticists are only a few years away from perfecting the process of made-to-order children. Among the aspects that can be genetically modified are looks, personality, and even a child's IQ. This process, known formally as genetic modification, can alter almost anything about a person, including gender, the removal of potential genetic disease markers, and much more. The science of genetic modification is fascinating, but it does not automatically resolve the question of ethics. It is important to understand the history of the process and how it works before deciding whether creating children in this way is ethically justifiable.

A Brief History of Genetic Engineering in Human Reproduction

Since the first scientific experiments in genetic engineering and assisted reproduction, debate has raged over the morality of these "unnatural" interferences. Even early geneticists worried about the potential consequences of eugenics research (Carlson). The most common form of human genetic engineering used today is in vitro fertilization (IVF). This process takes a sperm and egg from a mother and father and fertilizes the egg outside the body, in a laboratory setting. The resulting embryo is then inserted into a womb — either that of the biological mother or a surrogate. The first child born through IVF was Louise Brown in 1978. Her birth made world news and ignited debate about whether Brown was a "natural" child. Because she was created with scientific assistance, some questioned whether she should even be counted a full human being.

Building on IVF, which allowed formerly infertile parents to have biological children, genetic engineers continued their research toward technologies that would create true "designer babies." For people who had attempted IVF without success, a new hope emerged through the work of embryologist Jacques Cohen (Brownlee 2002). The first child conceived through this process — known as cytoplasmic transfer — was born in 1997. Four years later, once it was confirmed that the child was developing normally, Cohen and his colleagues announced that several children born through cytoplasmic transfer actually had three genetic parents: a mother, a father, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) that had been infused into their embryonic forms. The scientists had, in fact, genetically enhanced the children through the addition of this third genetic factor. These children would, in turn, pass this addition of mitochondrial DNA on to their own offspring.

References

Agar, Nicholas (2006). "Designer Babies: Ethical Considerations." American Institute of Biological Sciences.

Annas, G. (2002). "Protecting the Endangered Human: Toward an International Treaty Prohibiting Cloning and Inheritable Alterations." American Journal of Law and Medicine. 28:162.

Bostrom, Nick (2007). "In Defense of Posthuman Dignity." University of Oxford.

Brownlee, Shannon (2002). "Designer Babies." Washington Monthly.

Carlson, Elof. "Scientific Origins of Eugenics." Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications Research Program.

Hughes, James (2004). Citizen Cyborg: Why Democratic Societies Must Respond to the Redesigned Human of the Future. Westview Press.

Kauffman, Hattie (2009). "Designer Babies: Ethical?" Early Show. CBS: New York.

Lemonick, Michael D. (1999). "Designer Babies." Time Magazine.