Fairchild 1

Savannah Fairchild
English 4H
Mrs. DeBock
24 September 2015
Essential Question: Should in vitro fertilization and genetic selection be considered unethical?
Working Thesis: In vitro fertilization and genetic selection should be considered unethical.
Refined Thesis: In vitro fertilization and genetic selection should be considered unethical
because it is unnatural, it will create too big of a hierarchical gap, and there is no guarantee of a
successful pregnancy.
Adler, Richard. "Test-tube babies." The 1970s in America. Ed. John C. Super. Hackensack:
Salem, 2006. n. pag.Salem Online. Web. 17 Sep. 2015.
This article describes the trials and errors of the first accounts of in vitro fertilization. The
first attempt of in vitro fertilization was in the 1970s. A couple in New York was infertile and
had asked their doctor to perform external fertilization. Unfortunately, the fertilization was a
failure and the egg was destroyed. After 1969, two British doctors had over 80 attempts with in
vitro fertilization. Their only success was that of an ectopic pregnancy which had to be
terminated. However, in 1977, a couple came to those two British doctors asking to undergo in
vitro fertilization. These two doctors experimented with new approaches to in vitro fertilization
and successfully implanted a fertilized egg into the womans uterus. In July, 1978, the first
successful IVF baby was born. This article proves that although in vitro fertilization can be
successful, there are zero guarantees that it will work.

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Chang, Anne Lynn S. "In vitro fertilization." Magill's Medical Guide, Seventh Edition. Ed. Bryan
C. Auday, Michael A. Buratovich, Geraldine F. Marrocco and Paul Moglia. Hackensack:
Salem, 2014. n. pag. Salem Online. Web. 17 Sep. 2015.
This article explains the process of fertilization and defines key words that relate to
fertilization. In vitro fertilization is plausible for couples who are infertile due to the woman
having scarred pelvic tissue or blocked Fallopian tubes. Usually, this is the best case scenario for
an in vitro fertilization trial. If the female cannot produce eggs or the male cannot produce
sperm, donors will be used in the in vitro fertilization process. With the discovery of in vitro
fertilization, genetic screening has come to the surface. This gives families and doctors the
ability to be able to dissect a fetuss DNA to recognize whether he/she will have hereditary
diseases or not once born. This article proves that in vitro fertilization is completely unethical
and unnatural because knowing the babys DNA before birth is not usual.
Long, Heather. "Selecting a Child's Genetic Traits Will Create a Privileged Elite." Human
Genetics. Ed. Louise I. Gerdes. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2014. Opposing
Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Designer Babies: The Ultimate Privileged Elite?" Guardian 9
July 2013. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 14 Sept. 2015.
This is an opinionated article with an arguable point. In vitro fertilization is an insanely
costly procedure. For most middle class Americans, it is an unaffordable procedure. Most
insurance companies in the U.S. do not cover in vitro fertilization, for they see it as a medical
experiment. This would make in vitro fertilization a possibility only to those that are wealthy
and a part of an upper level social class. With the emergence of genetic selection, traits such as
height, eye color, hair color, intelligence, athletic abilities, and social skills can all be chosen

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before the birth of the child and by a computer. If this option is only available to those who can
afford it, a super human race will be created. This will cause for an intense have and have not
gap to arise within our own country and the globe. If middle class Americans cannot afford the
procedure, how could a third world country afford in vitro fertilization and PGD for their
citizens? This article is beneficial due to the exploitation of the potential parents who will be
playing God as they choose the traits that they would like their child/children to have.
"The Need to Regulate 'Designer Babies'." Designer Babies. Ed. Clayton Farris Naff. Detroit:
Greenhaven Press, 2013. At Issue. Rpt. from "The Need to Regulate 'Designer Babies,'."
Scientific American (May 2009). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 14 Sept. 2015.
In this article, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is discussed. This technique
allows for doctors and parents to screen embryos before they are implanted into the womb.
Fertility clinics advertised preimplantation genetic diagnosis in New York newspapers, but after
seeing the publics reaction, withdrew their offers to participate in genetic selection. The
technique was first used to detect hereditary diseases. Nevertheless, due to limited government
regulation over the diagnosis process, it is now being used for trait and characteristic selection.
Many bioethicists feel that the United States should look to Britain for an established guideline
for regulations on PGD. This article was useful due to the realization that without regulations and
guidelines, genetic screening is easily possible to become the new trend in America.
Shebaya, Sirine. "Expert Opinions Should Guide Designer Baby Technologies." Designer
Babies. Ed. Clayton Farris Naff. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2013. At Issue. Rpt. from
"Are 'Designer Babies' on the Horizon?" Science Progress. 2008. Opposing Viewpoints in
Context. Web. 14 Sept. 2015.

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Discussed in this article are the problems that can come about through in vitro
fertilization and designer babies. Scientists attempted to create a human embryo from scratch
and failed to inform or discuss with the public whether or not it was too big of a controversial
issue. The assumption that genetic screening will be misused is apparent but cannot be the basis
of trying to ban the technique, as stated in the article. There most definitely needs to be a
discussion on the topic and whether or not it is controversial and unethical. This article was
beneficial because it argued an opposite view from what I am arguing in my paper.
Stock, Gregory. "From Regenerative Medicine to Human Design: What Are We Really Afraid
Of?" 22.11 (2003). Rpt. in Designer Babies. Ed. Clayton Farris Naff. Detroit:
Greenhaven Press, 2013. At Issue.Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 14 Sept. 2015.
This article shows the importance and the advanced level of molecular biology.
Molecular biology can extend the human life span, improve healthcare, and lead to new
medicinal findings. It can also expand findings in preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and
in human reproductive cloning. According to the author of the article, human cloning will be
present in five to ten years whereas in vitro fertilization and genetic screening are already taking
place. Currently, genetic screening is being used to discover single-cell, hereditary diseases in the
eggs of the female. While this can be looked at as harmless, it can lead to something unethical
and dangerous. Germline intervention, which is the alteration of genetics in a first cell human
embryo, can likely change the face of reproduction and create a society of human designers
rather than unsuspicious parents. The article benefitted my knowledge due to the thorough
explanation of genetic screening on the concept of germline intervention and what in vitro
fertilization is capable of.