The+Ethics+of+Designer+Babies

In 2003, the US Gov't and a private company - Celera Genomics - both finished the Human Genome Project: they completely mapped the human genome, meaning they identified all of the roughly 3 billion nucleotide base pairs (A-T and C-G) - the building blocks - of our DNA, // in their exact sequence //. The hope is that scientists will eventually be able to test for genetic disorders and develop treatments. Treatments currently include drugs and recommended lifestyles. Future treatments may include genetically replacing faulty genes (that lead to inherited diseases) with healthy ones. This is called "gene splicing", "genetic engineering", or "GE". Organisms that have been genetically engineered are called GMOs - genetically modified organisms.

Currently, GE is used to improve the output of many food crops and their are many GMO crops. GE is used now to treat certain diseases in humans. It seems inevitable that it will be available for preventing diseases, in the future.

Some biogeneticists believe that they also will be able to offer "Designer Babies" - choices in the traits of their babies to future parents, such as gender, eye and hair color, etc. The movie, "GATTACA", discusses the ethics of choosing the traits of one's offspring and its potential social consequences.

- Assignment -

1.) Click on the Cloud/Idea symbol, above right and respond to the question there. 2.) Then respond to two of your classmates, in the spirit of discussing the issue respectfully and positively.

I look forward to your responses. And it IS for a grade.