The Ethics of Genetic Engineering

The article “Designer Babies” by Patricia Smith is about genetically engineering babies to have selected, desirable traits. This method isn’t being used yet, however, scientists are getting closer and closer to achieving their goals. I am against the idea of genetically engineered babies because it is unnatural and dangerous. I also believe it is unethical.

    Genetic engineering is potentially dangerous. The author of the article points out, “But traits like intelligence, athleticism, and sociability are very complex. They involve interactions between many different genes, and scientists are still far from understanding what all those genes are and how they interact with a child’s environment to influence behavior. The challenges aren’t stopping scientists from trying to unlock the mysteries of complex traits.” Scientists haven’t fully gotten a grasp on genetic engineering and this poses a threat. Jeremy Gruber, the president of the Council of Responsible Genetics, says, “You are conducting an activity that permanently alters the genome of the individual. If you get it wrong, you’re not only getting it wrong for that individual; it becomes inheritable. That’s why it is crucial to make sure it’s safe before it’s allowed to go forward.” Conducting genetic engineering is a major risk, and if done wrong, dangerous.

    Genetic engineering is not only dangerous, but in my opinion, unethical. The author writes, “In China, the focus is more on the science of genetics than on ethics. Researchers at BGI, a massive biotech company based in Shenzhen, for example, are trying to map out all the genes linked to human intelligence. The ultimate goal of this project is to test human embryos for IQ so that parents can pick the ones with the most potential.” I find the idea of this disturbing. This could give too much power to scientists and their test subjects. Too add on to this idea of power, ethicist Josephine Johnson, says, “But these changes that play into social advantage, I hope people pause and reconsider. It’s hard to know how you would resist the temptation to do those things, because they promise to give your child the edge in a competitive world.” By cheating genetics, it messes with humanity socially. It will divide the wealthy from the poor, causing turmoil and tension based on who can access this technology.

    Many scientists are looking at this subject from a honest view. The article says, “Diseases that result from genetic defects- including cystic fibroses, sickle cell anemia, and hemophilia- affect 12 million people in the United States alone. Scientists have already isolated the defective genes that cause many of these disorders, so the idea of replacing them with healthy genes holds out the possibility that some horrible diseases could become a thing of the past.” Scientists are looking at this practice for the greater good of society.

    I believe that genetic engineering shouldn’t be used. Even if the idea is genuine, there will be people who take advantage of technology. I think that this is unfair. Some people will be able to have a competitive advantage over the rest of society. Families could potentially buy their children’s success. The whole process is unnatural and unfair. This is why genetically engineered babies go against my own, personal moral code.