Recently I came across an idea suggesting that we would be able to sort of, design our babies according to what we want. Thus, the term “designer baby” were coined out. The idea itself is probably not so new to some, but I would give my two cents on the matter as it appears to be where we will be going, if we are to advance as a civilization.
Now, before you frown on me, I am not in any way suggesting that I support designer baby in its broadest terms — i.e. the way we predetermine our offspring’s future by fitting gene by gene into one superhuman like manner — no, no, no. I would suggest that this particular technology could be harnessed to do something much, much more meaningful than creating that designer baby.
Looking at some people’s opinion, when they hear the term ‘designer baby’ I would suppose the first thing that came to mind would be super genes. That is, the way we create babies the way we want them to be and the way we want them to grow. To be genetically perfect in every way to fit their purpose — the way they were designed. It takes no genius to know that however brilliant it might sound, that kind of use of technology would pose ethical and social problems, but that is something to be discussed on different time.
On a side note, Neil deGrasse Tyson, a famous physicist, explained why designer babies is a bad idea. He mentioned that the randomness of the human genes is what makes our species interesting, and it takes the fun out of it if we are to design our genes ourselves.
Personally I would agree with him that designer babies is not really a good idea. Why? Because that way — in my opinion — is one way of dictating our children’s future, similar to child labeling religion does nowadays. But if we are able to sort of “fix” genetic disorder of our offspring might have during its development (which I think part of this advancement of technology could also do), then, why not?
Like I said, I don’t think it is a good idea to dictate our offspring’s genetics according what we want, but harnessing that ability to cure genetically damaged babies looks like a feasible idea.
What do you think, fellow readers?
— Teguh Li
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