Biotech + Art

I recently had a discussion with friend regarding our future as mothers and what we would do in the situation where we were infertile. After a long debate, we went through every option from InVitro to adoption to surrogacy to even simply not having a child. That in depth conversation soon evolved to discussing to finding out that your future child could have all kinds of genetic disorders.

Ironically enough, this week's topic just touched based on the idea of using science to modify all kinds of things through the careful engineering of biology. The topic of having a "designer baby" has been circulating for quite some time. A "designer baby" is a result of advanced reproductive technologies allowing parents and doctors to screen embryo for genetic disorders and allowing the parents to select healthy embryos. However, science has evolved and advanced to the point where the ability to manipulate the embryos for all things from choosing the sex to even the hair color or level of intelligence. Although this level of technology can potentially save children from hardships resulted of disease or sickness, the limits of how far this modifications can go is unknown.

The work of Edward Steichen may seem uncontroversial to some because the genetic manipulation results in beautiful flowers. However, this not only affect the life of the child, but also those surrounding him or her. Many may say that their child is a work of art created between the parents as the artists using their DNA and genes as a medium. However, when the work on science and biotech is wrapped into the art it no longer becomes their own art. Instead, it's the work of a scientist with a petri dish.

Contrary to what others may think, I personally believe that the creation of designer babies is unethical and pushing the boundaries and limits of mother nature. The manipulation of genes just makes the children a result of a science project.

Works Cited

[1] Dir. By Tia Ghose. N.p., 13 Mar. 2014. Web. 09 May 2015. <http://www.cbsnews.com/news/designer-baby-controversy-scientists-edit-genome-of-human-embryo/>.

[2] "The Embryo Project Encyclopedia." Ethics of Designer Babies. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 May 2015. <https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/ethics-designer-babies>.

[3] Gallagher, James. "'Designer Babies' Debate Should Start, Scientists Say - BBC News." BBC News. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 May 2015. <http://www.bbc.com/news/health-30742774>.

[4] Ghose, By Tia. "Children to Order: The Ethics of 'Designer Babies'" LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 13 Mar. 2014. Web. 09 May 2015. <http://www.livescience.com/44087-designer-babies-ethics.html>.

[5] Mailonline, Christopher Gyngell For. "Forget the Fears about Designer Babies - We MUST Edit Our Genes: Controversial Technique Could Wipe out Cruel Genetic Diseases like Cystic Fibrosis - and Even Help Prevent Diabetes, Academic Warns." Mail Online. Associated Newspapers, 06 May 2015. Web. 09 May 2015. <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3068591/Forget-designer-babies-edit-genes-Technique-wipe-cruel-genetic-diseases-like-cystic-fibrosis-help-prevent-diabetes-academic-warns.html>.

[6] "What Is a Designer Baby?" What Is a Designer Baby? N.p., n.d. Web. 09 May 2015. <http://www.bionetonline.org/english/content/db_cont1.htm>.