Designing Children

Designing Children

Qs 9 Is there any morally wrong with designing the genes of children?

In the current society, the genetic engineering is at the very advanced stage. The designing of the genes of children in their embryos by moving away their bad genes can provide healthy and clever babies. In the recent development of the genetic engineering, parents can choice of the colours of their babies, eyes, hair, skin and even their gender. Such human enhancement by genetic means is a controversial issue no matter whether its ends are for medical treatment or human improvement. Some people think that such human enhancement is morally wrong while others regard that it is not. This essay will examine the issue of designing children in the moral aspects.

Reason for the requirement of designing children health

Many diseases such as congenital blindness, down’s syndrome, blood cancer and breast cancer mainly come from the previous generation via the genes of a person and then pass down to the next generation via the genes of his children. These genetic diseases can be prevented if the bad genes of a baby can be removed or improved by genetic engineering when they are in the embryos. Such genetic means is called ex ante change by madam Frances M.Kamm. Thus a healthy baby without such genetic diseases can be born. Such human enhancement is good for the baby’s parents on mental and financial burdens. The baby can have a longer span of life. Sandel considers that such medical enhancement does not desecrate nature but honors it. It does not override children’s natural capacities but permits them to flourish.

Requirement of strong competitive power in a meritocratic society

In order to live successfully in a meritocratic society, a person should have strong competitive power in the fields of study, working ability, wisdom, behaviour, physical fitness and appearance. Drugs and training can provide a major part of enhancement at the ex post stage. However, the improvement...