THE ADVANTAGES OF DESIGNER BABIES

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  The points that many people argue in favour of genetic modification on human births are:

The possibility of ‘therapeutic’ design involving the use of embryo scanning so we can eliminate any present genes that are linked with diseases and problems later on, thus ensuring an overall better standard of life for the baby. This is done at the stage when the embryo is only a zygote, as was described in the EMBRYO SCREENING page.

The possibility of enhancing a human being revolves around the idea that adding certain genes, such as NR2B, which is responsible for cognitive function in mice and believed to be present in humans, can make a person stronger, smarter or faster. Other people will elaborate to say that this is greater for the betterment of mankind, as having a society possessing extra genes and the potential for brilliance is a good society.

Helping cure present hereditary problems in families’ means that through creating a designer baby, help can be given to the rest of the family. Usually, a disease effecting one child in a family may be counteracted by having another child that does not possess such a gene. The second child is usually born through embryo screening to ensure that the gene is not present and they grow to be healthy. Then, considering their genetic make-up is as near perfect to their siblings, help can be given, usually in the form of surgery. This has occurred before and was the case in 2003 when the stem cells found in the designer babies umbilical cord were used to treat his brother, who was sick with Diamond Blackfan Anaemia, a blood disorder.

The scientific principles indicate that this process is a safe and clean one. Unlike some natural births, using precision to implant the embryos can be more effective than ‘the old fashioned way’ as the greatest areas for foetal develop are found.