Designer Babies

Scientists all over the world have discovered how to genetically engineer organisms in a way that makes them superior to their ancestors. Every day, brilliant men and women advance in understanding and manipulating the complexity of genes. The genetic revolutions of creating seeds invincible to insects and drought, making dogs, mice, and fish glow under a black-light are small steps compared to recent developments. Today, the scientific focus is on the genetic engineering of humans. Deeming the process of genetic engineering as making ‘designer babies,’ gives it a more casual feeling and allows parents to believe that they are creating the perfect child. Since science is like a foreign language, it is important to translate how and why genetic engineering is referred to as designing babies into our modern language.

It is essential to initially gather a simple idea and background about how genetic engineering works and why people feel the way they do regarding the issue. Genetic engineering begins by cutting the DNA using restriction enzymes. Then the sticky ends are bonded to another strand of DNA while new genes are inserted into the embryo. After the original and new DNA sticks together, the cells start to follow the assignment of the DNA combination. While this may seem like an extraordinary process, it has many critics flustered. Some believe that if designer babies continue to be born, it could cause a divide in society between those who are perfect and imperfect. However, giving a child a life that is “disease resistant,” could change their destiny and help them live longer and healthier (Masci, sec. 3). Genetic engineering allows parents to “dramatically improve their chances of having a boy or girl” with the exact characteristics they desire (Masci, sec. 5). Genetic engineering is an open door for people with innovated ideas and open minds.

Words are significant and that is why they must be analyzed. The language framing designer babies is fundamentally referred to as genetic engineering. Engineering is the process of skillfully making practical applications in art or science. Books on the topic of biology would define genetics as the makeup of an organism. Together, these two terms explode into the understanding that special purposes of the organism are being perfected. New discoveries are always expensive, but “genetic engineering eventually will become affordable” (Masci, sec. 4). Once the price is low, baby designing clinics may very well be on demand.

The media translated the scientific term of genetic engineering into the modern and intriguing words, designer babies. This makes the complex idea of genetic engineering magically change from sounding like rocket science to something that an average citizen could handle. Design is a gigantic element in our society. It is known as an arrangement that is pleasing to the eye with conceptual style. People are comfortable with designing homes, interiors, and outfits. This automatically makes the word design, seem very casual. Baby is a word that everyone knows or will know. Infants are definitely more common than design. They are what create the designs when they reach adulthood. Together, the two words design and baby make a comfortable and catchy sounding term, “designer babies” (Brownlee, sec. 1).

Another more modern name referring to genetically modified people is the term “superhuman” (Appleyard, sec. 5). Since the main purpose of altering the genes is to remove all the harmful diseases and problems that normal humans face, they should be practically invincible. The first part of this term is extremely valuable because super is a fat word – a word that is overly used. Super is correctly described as gloriously divine and magnificently incomparable. Living without any health issues or physical discomforts would honestly be like heaven. Expounding upon the second half of the word, human, many people assume their own definitions. Humans are diverse. They are frail, flawed, and full of ideas and emotions. Superhuman is technically an oxymoron. Nonetheless, the word super reflects the word human as a bonus feature rather than a contradiction.

Out of the three terms that were discussed, the primary term is ultimately, ‘designer babies’. The idea that parents can create the child of their dreams is turning into a reality. Choosing the perfect hair, eyes, and skin color for an infant can be as simple as deciding what to wear. Intelligence, beauty, athletics, or music could also come in the package. Having the ability to make decisions and not regret them is what matters. A Superhuman can only be as super as we can make them. Basically, genetically modified humans “will certainly be no better than us, and with luck, no worse” (Appleyard, sec. 5). In the end, we can be reassured that “designing babies to be 'better' means designing them to be more, not less, like us” (Appleyard, sec. 5).

Making babies will become a completely different experience for men and women if genetic engineering is adopted. The type of love that birthed countless infants will have a sophisticated twist. Passion will not be the drive makes new lives, selection will – selection of the best. On a positive note, if a person has an inherited genetic disease, it can be plucked out of their future child’s embryo and end an issue permanently. Medical costs will decrease if the genes are correctly engineering to not contain diseases. There is one concern that must be addressed – controlling reproduction (Appleyard, sec 2). Designing babies could cause reproduction to be like a production line, which could result in forgetting how to naturally conceive a child.

Our mental capacities have limits. When a certain maximum has been reached, we need to take a break or dare to step on the verge of a mental breakdown. Perhaps, these super minded genetically modified humans will be able to engineer future generations. Humanity will be forced to become better, and better, and better. The human race will be changed forever. Since parents are the prime targets for buying a designer baby, they are forced to deal with something that no other generation has dealt with before. Finding a cure for cancer and other terminating illnesses won’t be needed because the designed humans won’t have any health conditions. The sky will be the limit when it comes to a superhuman.

Clearing up the language about designer babies makes it much easier to comprehend. Translating a foreign language into a language that is your own can be frustrating at first, but conquering the beast leads to a satisfying victory. The implications that ring in the sound of, ‘designer babies,’ have been analyzed and dissected. Scientists are skillfully working on discovering even more advanced wonders. Selling the process as ‘designing babies,’ provides it with a more acceptable and achievable feeling. Parents can believe that they are actually creating their child, when they are simply altering what was already created. Genetic engineering is a superior advancement that will benefit society both now and in the future. Embracing the elimination of disease will assist in creating a group of people that are designed to be invincible. Genetically engineering a superior race will start the long process of solving the world’s problems.

Works Cited

Appleyard, Bryan. "The Impact of Human Enhancement Is Uncertain." Opposing Viewpoints: Medicine. Ed. Louise Gerdes. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. McHenry County College, Crystal Lake, IL. 16 Sep. 2009 .

Brownlee, Shannon. "Society Should Restrict 'Designer Baby' Technologies." Opposing Viewpoints: Reproductive Technologies. Ed. Clay Farris Naff. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2007. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. McHenry County College, Crystal Lake, IL. 16 Sep. 2009 .

Masci, David. "Designer Humans." CQ Researcher 11.19 (2001): 425-440. CQ Researcher. Web. McHenry County College, Crystal Lake, IL. 16 Sept. 2009. .