Genetics and Designer Babies - Looking at Ethical Decsions

Yesterday in class - you and your partner created a baby - using coin flips to model the random selection of alleles that are contributed by both parents. Right now, we have no control over what genetic combination our offspring will receive. Read the article "Genetics Will Let Parents Build Their Baby" .

Answer the following questions:

1. Would you choose to genetically "program" your baby?
2. Do you think it is RIGHT to offer parents the ability to pick and choose the traits they would like their child to have? Explain.
3. How would you feel if you knew that you are the way you are because your parents MADE THE CHOICE to make you a boy or girl, picked your hair color, your intelligence etc. What problems might this cause?
4. The experts think that the ability to program the child would make our world even more competitive - do you agree or disagree with this? Explain
5. Would it be ok to program genes for health reasons? How would this change society?
6. If you knew in advance that your child carried a gene for cancer or some other disease - would that effect your decision to Have the child? Or would it influence how you treated the child once they were born?
7. George Annas feels that genetic engineering will add to the divide between rich and poor - explain your thoughts on this? Why do you think he feels this way?
8. Post a comment on this blog explaining your point of view on Genetically modified kids - give at least 3 supporting details to back up your opinion. The post won't show up immediately - I moderate the blog.