The Pros And Cons Of Genetically Engineered Designer Babies

Each person is genetically unique, not one person's genetic map will be identical to another. Recent advancements may be able to change that and change future generations completely. Genetically designed babies were once thought unachievable, but may or may not become a reality. The debate and rhetoric about continuing developments in genetically engineered designer baby’s ranges from those who fear negative complications to those who believe it could be a tremendous medical advancement. Some argue that recent developments in gene editing could lead to significant medical advancements. These developments such as, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR), “which allows researchers to generate RNA-guided nucleases,

This malpractice could be taken into everyday households and have disastrous effects. Antonucci writes, “Beyond the anxiety about the boundaries of conventional research, there is a lurking dread about rogue experiments, subversively conducted for biowarfare or recklessly undertaken by individuals playing Dr. Frankenstein in their garages” (para. 12). Antonucci brings up the alarming fact that any individual with or without proper training could potentially harm the general public. Modern day technology has made it possible for almost anyone to obtain any materials needed to conduct such rogue experiments. With the potential high cost to modify a embryo, families may attempt to do so themselves. Such rogue experiments could lead to birth defects or death of unborn children. Antonucci states, “minimally experienced college students can now accomplish certain kinds of lab work that used to require the resources of a giant biotech company” (para. 12). Antonucci recognizes that these minimally experienced students are often unmonitored and unaware of the negative impact lab malpractice can have. Inexperienced students may think they're helping the cause but in reality could do more harm than good. Antonucci explains, “what might start as a misguided lab experiment but end up ‘escaping into natural populations of bugs, animals and humans.’” (para. 3). These rogue experiments, conducted by individuals with little to no experience, could raise major complication in the stages of child development and birth. Such rogue experimentation could cause mass death worldwide since it is not conducted in a controlled