Should parents be allowed to "design" babies?

Question

This is in response to a recent article on www.Msn.com. The article says that scientists have the ability to design babies, in a way, thus giving the parents the child they want. But should that technology be used, or be discarded and forgotten about? I can see this as being both good and bad, depending on how we use it.

Say, for instance, a couple has dwarfism. They want a child who also has dwarfism, or a child who does not carry the gene. They go to a doctor and ask them if they can design the baby to their specifications. Should they be allowed to do this?

Here is a link to those articles:

http://find.msn.com/search.aspx?q=Designer+babies+-site:http://www.myspace.com&c=0314+Designer+babies&form=MSNHM3

Answer 1

For this question I think I'm going to give a semi short but not so sweet an answer. The first thing that comes to my mind is the many people who are not fortunate with the ability to have their own children. So many people who would no doubt about it cut one of their own limbs off just to have the PRIVILEGE of being able to have a child of their very own. I very personally feel and believe with all my heart and soul that any person who places so much emphasis on such ridiculous not too mention shallow issues such as the sex, size or things of that nature do NOT whatsoever deserve to have any child in their custody!!! I would think that anyone who truly and deeply desires a child would only be concerned with what most of us REAL parents are concerned with and that is wanting a healthy and happy child and counting the months until they finally get to hold the ultimate gift. But if in the event that a couple chooses to go the "design child" route I hope that they get a child who grows up to be just as shallow as it's parents were and that they find out that their parents would not have loved them for who they truly would have been and that god wasn't good enough to give them the blessing he desired for them. I hope I did not offend you because you were simply just asking a question but this topic and the idea of it is so much more than a slap in the face to those of us who are genuine parents and to the others who wish they could be too. I hope after reading this answer you won't need to read any others. But knowledge and information is power so I don't blame you if you read others responses because I probably would too. So long and take care

Answer 2

No, babies are a precious gift and we hould be grateful for the lovely blessings we get. It disgusts me that peopel would want to design their baby. Babies are already designed by nature, by what dominant genes you and your partner carry. Not by some scientist in a lab.
Even if it is to help out another child or to eliminate a certain disease or whatever. I still dont agree with it.
Babies are like a lucky dip, you just have to wait 9 motnhs to find out what you get. They are not a consumer product which you get to design to your own specifications or return for a refund.

Answer 3

I, personally, don't see much problem in this. If we can design our babies to have a better and happier life, why shouldn't we? we should be embracing new technologies like this and use it to our advantage. also, designing our babies could also bring even more diversity to the human race... a black couple could have an asian baby, while a hispanic couple could have a white baby... just imagine the possibilities...

Answer 4

I think parents should do whatever their heart desires. If they want a specific child...then go for it. Then whats the suprise of waiting to see what the baby is like when it is born? What it looks like and what it will turn into?

Answer 5

no, i do not think parents should design their children. I think it is a aginst the laws of nature and that science is going to far. with every action there is a consequence. my question would be what is going to happen if we keep manipulating cells and genes? what adverse reaction will occur?

Answer 6

I for one wouldn't want to design my baby,I would make it up to God to create my child and no one else.

Answer 7

I am repulsed! only god should designe babys. All babys should be accepted and loved no matter how god designed them! Where will we go to look for designer babys, the clothing section maby????

Answer 8

Yes, I would like kids that urinate gasoline so I can save some money

Answer 9

IPSY, THATS F!@#$ING HILARIOUS!

Answer 10

i dont think so