how expensive would it be to make a 'designer' child with genetic engineering?

Question

im doing a debate in class for theis topic my opponent wants to throw that it would be expensive and i was looking to find out exactlly how expensive so that i could put it into perspective when i find the right argument to say back to my opponent.

Answer 1

the science is not invented yet...ask again in about 20 years,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,it will be expensive at first..then it will come down in price.............

Answer 2

Sounds like you're debating Eugenics.
I agree with richard t. Cost will start out quite high; almost certainly tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars per ovum. Most things new are more expensive as we work out the process. As more providers offer the service, price pressure will drive cost down.
The question to answer will be: is it worth it? And that is purely subjective.
Parents adopting children from China will spend in the neighborhood of $10,000 in legal fees, travel expenses, home study, ... just for one child. Clearly they think it's worth it.

Using the "too expensive" arguement is over-generalizing. A special service, like a genetically engineered human child, will always be more money than many people can afford. That doesn't mean nobody can afford it or that nobody will want to do it.

Answer 3

Since it's not currently possible you'd have to finance the research and development to make it work. People who estimate in hundreds of thousands of dollars obviously don't work in technical fields. One engineer will cost you at least $250k per year when all costs are taken in to account. Doctors and microbiologists are going to cost more and we are going to be talking multiples of years. Say a staff of a hundred scientists for 10 years to stand a reasonable chance.

$250M++

Answer 4

Eventually, they will get the technology developed to the point that Walmart will offer 1 hour service like they do with photo developing. Then the cost will be very low.

Answer 5

I think you cna call out the 'stupid clause' on this question. One the question is raised, you are entitled to go physically clobber your opponent due to implausibility.