Where do we draw the line with prenatal choice?

Question

Please answer all of the following. I am writing about this for my dissertation. All other comments are most welcome. Thanks:

Is it acceptable to have a child through IVF where eggs are fertilised to create embryos before implantation into the womb?

Is it acceptable to test embryos for genetic diseases before choosing which to implant through IVF?

Is it acceptable to test embryos to see if they are a compatible donor with an existing sibling requiring a matching donor before choosing which to implant through IVF?

Is it acceptable to test embryos to see if they will be a boy or a girl before choosing which to implant through IVF?

Is it acceptable to test embryos for desirable traits such as athletic ability or hair colour before choosing which to implant through IVF?

If it were possible, would it be acceptable to 'design' a baby by changing part of the genetic code of an embryo before implantation through IVF for health reasons? And for aesthetic reasons such as eye/hair colour?

Answer 1

hmmm...Your dissertation is in what field?

Because all you will receive from questions such as these are biases, most of which will be based on the religious beliefs of the person answering the questions.

Is it your intent to simply gather opinions from perfect strangers without knowing their ages, beliefs, and demographics? Doesn't seem to make too much scientific sense.

But! I will answer your questions. Yes, to all except the last two. In choosing sex, some people avoid transplanting embryos in which one partner is a carrier of a disease trait that is XY linked only, hence, they would only want to carry female babies.

Answer 2

Is it acceptable to have a child through IVF where eggs are


Yes, because there are alot of people whp can;t become pregnate the regular way.

Is it acceptable to test embryos for genetic diseases before choosing which to implant through IVF?

Yes, because there are to many mean people in the world and people with diabilities have it harder growing up...

Is it acceptable to test embryos to see if they are a compatible donor with an existing sibling requiring a matching donor before choosing which to implant through IVF?

No, because everyone needs to be thier own person.

As for your last three questions here is what I think

No, I think that nature should be the judge of that and that they can't play god

Answer 3

Is it acceptable to have a child through IVF where eggs are fertilised to create embryos before implantation into the womb?

Yes

Is it acceptable to test embryos for genetic diseases before choosing which to implant through IVF?

Yes

Is it acceptable to test embryos to see if they are a compatible donor with an existing sibling requiring a matching donor before choosing which to implant through IVF?

Yes, because what if they had problems later on, but I wouldn't want to see them "select" or leave out certain embryos just for that reason.

Is it acceptable to test embryos to see if they will be a boy or a girl before choosing which to implant through IVF?

No, because it's suppose to be a 50/50 toss up, not a selection

Is it acceptable to test embryos for desirable traits such as athletic ability or hair colour before choosing which to implant through IVF?

No, I wouldn't

If it were possible, would it be acceptable to 'design' a baby by changing part of the genetic code of an embryo before implantation through IVF for health reasons? And for aesthetic reasons such as eye/hair colour?

No that's vainity

Babies are gifts from God, they are all beautiful, untainted and special regardless of circumstances beyond their control.

Answer 4

in my opinion (assumes that's what's being asked for)

Is it acceptable to have a child through IVF where eggs are fertilised to create embryos before implantation into the womb?

yes

Is it acceptable to test embryos for genetic diseases before choosing which to implant through IVF?

yes


Is it acceptable to test embryos to see if they are a compatible donor with an existing sibling requiring a matching donor before choosing which to implant through IVF?

hmm, trickier, but yes


Is it acceptable to test embryos to see if they will be a boy or a girl before choosing which to implant through IVF?

now that depends on why, if you're trying to avoid sex specific genetic conditions, then yes, if it's just for preferance then no


Is it acceptable to test embryos for desirable traits such as athletic ability or hair colour before choosing which to implant through IVF? no

If it were possible, would it be acceptable to 'design' a baby by changing part of the genetic code of an embryo before implantation through IVF for health reasons? And for aesthetic reasons such as eye/hair colour? no

Answer 5

I'm fine with the first three...but the last three make me fear for society. It's exactly like the basis for the movie Gattaca (which I seem to be referencing a lot lately). There would end up being two classes of people...the gorgeous athletic disease free smart ones who's parents could afford genetic engineering and the ones who were created the good old fashioned fun way. I think it would cause serious problems.

Answer 6

when it comes to testing genetic defects it could be a good thing reducing the amount of children who have a lot of lifetime hard ships but when it comes to choosing the sex athletic ability and such not right that is up to chance not us.

Answer 7

The first three, yes, I think they are acceptable. I'm not sure what to think of the others though. Its their child though, so if thats how they want it then so be it.

Answer 8

personally i think no because you are fooling with mother nature. i will lov emy child no matter what i can't wait!