Ashley Ahn / Campbell Hall High School 11th Grade

Imagine a “designer baby,” a baby whose genetic make-up has been preordained by its parents? hand-selected in order to eradicate a particular defect or to ensure that a particular gene is present. Although this may sound like science fiction, genetic modification is becoming increasingly prevalent in the medical field. Currently, the process of genetic modification is primarily utilized to prevent the transmission of genetic diseases. However, this may one day allow parents to select their child’s characteristics, such as eye color, athletic aptitude, or even intelligence level.

23andMe, a company based in California, has made this opportunity increasingly feasible. The company’s main business is to provide information about its customer’s health and disease risk factors, determined by their DNA. In the fall of 2013, 23andMe was awarded a controversial patent that ignited outraged discussion across the world. The patent was for a technique that could be used in a fertility clinic. According to the patent, after the patient had specified the traits that were desired, a process would reveal the probability of “gamete donor selection based on genetic calculations.” This new form of technology would allow individuals to gain control of our genes, revolutionizing human evolution. There has been much debate about the ethical implications of this “designer baby” issue.

There is no question that using genetic engineering to prevent a genetic disease can be highly beneficial in terms of preventing genetic diseases and enhancing cosmetic looks. The argument stands that choosing the physical appearance of a child before birth is comparable to changing one’s appearance after birth, such as dying hair or opting for colored contacts. This is simply comparable to a skill or trait that he or she would acquire at a young age. So the question remains? should we stop someone from being able to acquire these traits before birth?

There is much to be deliberated before we jump to any sort of conclusion. Creating a generation of genetically modified babies can produce an onslaught of effects that we never took into consideration. The same way we are now realizing genetically modified foods can be critical to our health, “designer babies” may have the same effect. Turning off a certain gene may turn on another gene that does not manifest until the baby is born. The advantages are unquestionably plentiful but these are all issues that should be ironed out before proceeding.