By definition, a “Designer Baby” is a genetically modified, unborn child. Basically, they are children who have been “designed” with the desired sex or characteristics. Scientists continue to learn more about the human genome, and as they do reproductive technology continually advances to levels that we never imagined. Researchers linked to Bionet point out: Advanced reproductive techniques involve using InVitro Fertilization (IVF), which is where eggs are fertilized by sperm in ‘test tubes’ outside the mother’s body in a laboratory. The type of sperm (X or Y) that fertilizes an egg can be chosen, which is used to determine the sex and genes of the baby.
Antibiotics are given before and after the procedure to avoid fetal infection. Amniocentesis is useful in diagnosing many genetic disorders before the baby is born. In families with genetic diseases or for a mother with previously born child affected by some genetic condition, the test is useful to confirm or to assess the risk of recurrence. Triple test is a test where markers in the blood are tested for Down syndrome, trisomy 18 and trisomy 13. This test does not confirm the diagnosis of these syndromes but tells us about the
Each culture differs from the other cultures in the way it reacts with the new scientific discoveries and inventions, depending on it’s own values and beliefs. Some people think of embryo research as a solution to many medical diseases, and that’s true for the patients’ benefit. However, what about the fate of the embryos which the doctor used for research and then got rid of after? Sometimes doctors or patients’ families consider hiding the health information from the patient as an acceptable option for the patients’ own interest to avoid emotional harm. Although, what about the patients’ right to know their health conditions?
Bowlby believed in the evolutionary theory of attachment suggesting that humans were born biologically programmed to form attachments in order to successfully survive. An example of this would be the instinctive fear of strangers, which demonstrates an important survival mechanism. He furthermore believed that the attachment relationship between mother and child acted as a prototype for future social relationships, therefore disrupting this by means of day-care could have severe consequences. Disrupting the bond to the attachment figure (mother) during the first 2-year period through day-care meant that the child would suffer long-term consequences on their ability to socialise and cause; delinquency, reduced intelligence, increased aggression, depression and being under affectionate. Bowlby’s ‘Thieves study’ in 1944 aimed to investigate the effects of maternal deprivation through 44 adolescents who were referred to a child protection program in London because of stealing and was resolved by supporting his initial ideas.
I wonder if fifty years ago there were as many fertility issues as it seems we have now or are women just disclosing more information about themselves. Is God sending a message that He may have a special plan for their lives? I firmly believe doctors are attempting to perform miracles when they should not use drugs. I believe nature should run its course and let God take care of creating babies. The high number of multiple births and the increase of some health issues are forcing society to examine the ethical issues that are caused by fertility drugs and in vitro fertilization.
Given this fact, many expectant parents are asking, “Where do these defects come from?” What are the common birth defects? How can we make sure that our baby comes out strong and healthy? Nevertheless, birth defect statistics Say that about half of these cases happen with causes unknown. Now with being able to choose certain genes and playing around with the DNA of your unborn child, these “birth defects” can be easily avoided according to some doctors. Pros of Designer Babies Genetic screening can reduce the baby's chances of being born with several serious diseases like Down Syndrome, Famial hypercholesterolemia, rare blood disorders such as Diamond Blackfan Anaemia, etc.
The successful cloning of Dolly the sheep was a new promise for potential cloning of human beings for medical research and reproductive assistance. The field of bioengineering is driven by genetic research with a goal of improving human life expectancy. The process of cloning includes duplicating the existing genetic information of a person, which is used to create a new organism with the same DNA. A nucleus from an egg cell is removed and replaced with a nucleus of a somatic cell of a person being cloned, which is implanted in a surrogate mother for development (Kass 321). The concept of human cloning is controversial in regards to its ethical dimension and the potential risks it can have on humanity.
Future technology in altering the human body could change so many lives with the handicap, cosmetically, or making our bodies better and stronger. It could possibly making a prosthetic limb feel like a real limb, or change the life of a disfigured person by making them look completely normal. Stem cells could cosmetically keep a person from aging, and using their own DNA could correct cavities by regenerating their teeth, or replacing missing, or damaged ones. Scientists could possibly make body parts that are better than their own. People could replace their own body parts with better ones, by using bionic arms and legs to make faster or stronger athletes, clone eyes to see better, and have bionic hearing so people can hear a pin drop.
There are many different types of new reproductive technologies. The first of which is in vitro fertilisation, ‘which involves the fertilisation of an egg with sperm in a laboratory’ (Bos and Balen, 2010, 429). This process entails the fertilisation of an egg with sperm that then gets transferred into the mother’s uterus. There are a number of different combinations of this process, either using the father’s sperm with another woman’s egg, or vice versa. By having this new technology it allows couples that have one infertile partner to have children that are biologically related to the fertile partner.
It can help the infertile individuals in producing children. Cloned embryos can be planted into women’s bodies to produce babies. Also, cloning can make it possible to reproduce a certain desirable trait in human beings through the cloned embryo. • Technologies used in cloning can also serve a useful purpose for the researchers in genetics. Cloning technologies may help to understand the composition of genes and their effect on human traits and behavior in a more comprehensive and elaborate manner.