Designer Babies

What is designer baby?

 Process

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/608350/first-human-embryos-edited-in-us/
 CRISPR

● Ca9 protein + guide RNA

● Can add or eliminate a
gene

https://www.ted.com/talks/ellen_jorgensen_what_you_need_to_know_about_crispr
Purpose

● Prevent genetic diseases

● Inherited medical conditions
● Picking out desired traits
How
What are the legal standings...

● There are regulations on genetic

testing and researches
● NO LAWS exists that forbid
genetic manipulation in humans
 Financial Cost

Pros Cons
● No need to waste ● Not affordable to
money on medicines or everyone
treatments ● IVF $8,000
● Medications $4,000
● Gender Selection
$18,000
● Genetic Testing $200
● Total of about $33,750
 Social Impact

Pros Cons
● More productivity ● No Uniqueness
● Less disease/illness in ● Gap in education system
society ● Is like an abortion
 Future Implications

● Not enough information for side effects.

● Different countries are going to have different opinions
about designer babies
● Strength
● Intelligence
Religious Beliefs

● Islam
● Christian
● Catholic
● Buddhism
Other Pros and Cons
Real life stories:

● The Fletcher’s family ( diagnosed with Diamond Blackfan

Anemia)
● Whitaker (moved to America )
● Molly Nash (suffers from inherited blood marrow failure)
“My sister’s keeper”’
Questions...

● Should we be able to alter a child’s genes for looks ?

● How do you think this can impact our future ? (educational
system, healthcare, etc)
● Should parents be permitted to enhance their children?
● Would you design a baby? Why?
● How would the modified genetics affect future
generations?
Citations

http://www.futureforall.org/bioengineering/designer-babies.html

https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/ethics-designer-babies

https://designerbabiesethics.wordpress.com/2013/04/28/the-cons-of-designer-babies/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/955644.stm

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1467212/Designer-babies-Joshuas-story.html

http://blogs.findlaw.com/law_and_life/2015/12/legality-of-designer-babies.html

https://singularityhub.com/2016/10/03/designer-babies-and-the-new-technology-of-having-children/#sm.00000khqgoysxcfjhru3d9
mu07f0a

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/04/science/gene-editing-embryos-designer-babies.html

https://www.ted.com/talks/ellen_jorgensen_what_you_need_to_know_about_crispr