science class debate (eugenics)?

Question

hi, i am doing a debate on Eugenics in science class. I have to be on the con side of genetic screaning of embryos to test them for diseases. Since i am debating cons, i have to come up with points (and ots of facts and evidence to support these points) against screaning emryos for diseases. It would be great if you ahve any points, and or any facts. If you ahve websights and sources that ould also be great for me to check out.

Answer 1

1. Determination of what is a "disease." Is low intellgience a disease? How about extreme shortness? How about a potentially uncontrollable temper? Once you start screening for genetic traits, where do you drae the line? Argue that there would inevitably be those that drew there own "lines" as to what is a "disease."
2. Gene pools that are manipulated by humans often become problems. Look at purebred dogs, with hip and teeth problems. Did breeders not try to "breed out" disease and bad traits? Sometimes other problems can arise from unnaturally changing a gene pool.
3. Once traits are deemed favorable or unfavorable, the slippery slope towards full Eugenics may begin. Remember, Hitler tried to create the Aryan race through selective breeding only 60-70 years ago. Parents would inevitably want to screen for the embryos with the highest intelligence and best physical features.

Answer 2

I'd approach it mainly from a human rights standpoint. Bo made some great points, and I'd like to add a little to the first one.

Sometimes a disease confers an unexpected positive effect as well. Sickle cell anemia is a crippling and painful genetic disorder, most common among people of African descent. While it seems like a lousy trade-off, it provides a resistance to malaria., which is most common in Africa. While it would theoretically be possible to 'breed' out the genetic defect that causes sickle cell anemia (and I use the word 'breed', because in my opinion, eugenics lowers individuals to the level of livestock, regardless of the underlying reason), the benefit of malaria resistance would be lost. There are other genetic defects that confer unexpected benefits as well (I just can't think of them right now).