I can see this being a good idea in some cases. Dosen't China (or was it japan) still have that single child rule, and most parents will throw away female babies
otherwise, i'm not sure i understand what they mean by sex selection, do they screw around with the fetus and give it the hormones to tip the odds towards the desired gender or something?
darkspineslayer
That would be China. Though it wouldn't effect that as this is only for IVF and the parents that abandoned female babies wouldn't be able to afford it, the ones that can afford it can just pay the fine for having another child.
I wonder what that would do to the population? Could you imagine the "Trend" having JUST BOYS for like a few years? or JUST GIRLS? Would there be balance?
It wouldn't be much of a problem in North America, but man, if people in China or India got their hands on this sort of technology... I could foresee some serious demographic problems.
I'm against the genetic engineering of children in general. This instance isn't necesarily a bad thing but it is a very slippery slope. As soon as stuff like this catches on an industry will be made of it and only the wealthy will be able to afford it. This will only further the gap between rich and poor, where it's not just a monetary difference, but a physical one as well. I sure as hell wouldn't want to see a society of super smart, handsome and strong rich people surrounded by a bunch of average middle class and poor people. But whatever, this will probably never happen and it's just me seeing dooms day everywhere.
If it's just the sex of the baby people wish to influence, that is not unreasonable. Engineering children by altering large portions of their DNA to fit a mold of perfection is really out of hand. Just because the technology exists to manipulate with that kind of power does not give people the right to do whatever the hell they please. Are there no morals left in this world?
I think its practical, and could lead to a better and brighter future for mankind. Imagine this being the start of a world where everyone was capable of being smart, beautiful/handsome, outgoing, etc. and where they could balance the population ratio if needed.
Morally it may not be right for some, but I see no problem in it.
MuddVader
This may lead to the standards to whats smart and whats beautiful being increased. However as long as one person is beautiful then in turn one person has to be ugly. Think about it like this. If everyone became so smart that they only got A and A+ then the people who got A would be considered idiots while the A+ people would be the smart ones. Someone has to be at the bottom in order for others to be at the top.
No...I believe things should be left up to fate in these situations. If a child can't choose how they look and what they look like when they are born. Why should the parents?
I think its practical, and could lead to a better and brighter future for mankind. Imagine this being the start of a world where everyone was capable of being smart, beautiful/handsome, outgoing, etc. and where they could balance the population ratio if needed.
Morally it may not be right for some, but I see no problem in it.
MuddVader
The biggest problem I see with it is socialwarfare. If you think it's ugly that in certain countries rich people get access to better healthcare, you'll cringe the day that the rich can purchase options to make their children genetically superior to those of the poorer people.
It sounds iffy. I'd be worried that this would cause a discrepancy in gender ratio, as is taking place in China currently. Even though the U.S isn't China, males still (most of the time) carry on the family name. I'd be interested in a study to see which gender most people wish their children to be of.
No matter how much we try to control about our children they will always be somewhat different then what our ideals are for them. I don't however have a firm stance on this. I can see benefits to it. But downfalls as well. Benefits being in countries where one sex is more preferable to the other less murders *cough* abortions will happen. Downfalls well one is the parents being dissapointed if somehow the procedure fails, causes harm to the baby, or the child fails their ideals in some other way down the line.
The biggest problem I see with it is socialwarfare. If you think it's ugly that in certain countries rich people get access to better healthcare, you'll cringe the day that the rich can purchase options to make their children genetically superior to those of the poorer people.
mattbbpl
I agree, I feel if genetic engineering came into fruition, it would create an even greater discrepancy between social classes. It would be a way for the powerful to maintain such a position.
I can't disagree with that. Even they don't allow their children or someone to have sex they will do it secretly. This is our society, This is reality. Well, lets say the catholic church didn't agree to use condoms or some pills but still, people use it. I guess God can no longer control us :P
This is related in a sense to genetic engineering - something that has a lot of potential for danger while simultaneously having a lot of potential for pushing mankind forward a great deal. I don't really know what to think about this, but I do know that had sufficient genotechnology existed in a widespread form back then I would much preferred my parents to maximise my biological abilities.
No. It could throw off the balance of males to females. Think how much it would suck if males made up 75% of the world's population and women only 25%. I say let's leave it up to chance.
There were never any morals to begin with, only what society deems is morally acceptable and what isn't.
Anyways, don't really see anything wrong with this one particular use of genetically engineering. Slippery slope argument doesn't really apply until we start modifying people with 2 hearts and what not.
I am just afraid that their maybe a gender disparity, most likely choosing boys over girls.. NOOO T.T yeah I feel is so wrong, because of that. Eh, Im not religious and open to anything mostly.
Humoring the possibility of engineering people makes me litterally ill. This isn't some Toyota factory line we're talking about here, this is LIFE. I don't agree with genetic modification to any extent, even for diseases. To mess and alter nature's natural process is to show a great disregard and disrespect towards it. It's not only something we shouldn't do, it's something we shouldn't even consider. I'm also a believer of unconditional love.
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