Philosophy Now Forum

'Designer babies' debate should start, scientists say
http://www.bbc.com/news/health-30742774


Pros: Ever see those those craft shops where you select an unfinished piece of pottery and glaze it yourself for a hefty fee? I've peered through the window, and I've seen the results. Folks get a bowl that they helped to create. They get to design with color.

Cons: Unintended consequences. You might end up designing a Young Frankenstein and not know you're doing it. Or maybe you will know and purposely create what you think is good, but others think is bad. You might not like a child designed by eccentrics. Social engineers might design Morlocks and Elois.

I wonder if they will arrive with the designer's logo tattooed on their little butts.

It's only available to the rich and they've always produced freaks, so who cares?

Harbal wrote:I wonder if they will arrive with the designer's logo tattooed on their little butts.

I hope so. On the other hand, it's not their fault.

Well, nobody's forcing them to moon people from their autonomous cars.

I think we have too much hysteria about it, we already alter ourselves with surgery, pills, medication, photoshop, makeup ..etc why shouldn't we allow ourselves to enhance us via genetics?

We can erradicate many genetic diseases like Alzenheimer, Fibromylagy, Sklerosis ..etc, imo those who oppose genetic designerbabies are irrational people.

the progressive dream...

-Imp

I wonder if they could design a baby that could change it's own nappy (diaper), I can see there being a big demand for those.

Why not save a lot of landfill and have it born strong enough to sit up on a toilet?

Skip wrote:Why not save a lot of landfill and have it born strong enough to sit up on a toilet?

Now you're just being silly.

Harbal wrote:I wonder if they could design a baby that could change it's own nappy (diaper), I can see there being a big demand for those.

Now you're just being silly.

Walker wrote:'Designer babies' debate should start, scientists say
http://www.bbc.com/news/health-30742774


Pros: Ever see those those craft shops where you select an unfinished piece of pottery and glaze it yourself for a hefty fee? I've peered through the window, and I've seen the results. Folks get a bowl that they helped to create. They get to design with color.

Cons: Unintended consequences. You might end up designing a Young Frankenstein and not know you're doing it. Or maybe you will know and purposely create what you think is good, but others think is bad. You might not like a child designed by eccentrics. Social engineers might design Morlocks and Elois.

Pros: none.

Cons: more people.

Excellent and thoughtful but under-rated film about this called Gattaca.

I may have a look at that on You Tube, if the recording quality doesn't suck too badly.

But seriously.....
Let's suppose they're routinely screening for, and repairing congenital illness, deformity, predilection to addiction, etc., so that's not a concern.

If, for some unfathomable reason, you were determined to reproduce, would you have some of your own normal, healthy genes replaced?
Are there special traits that you would want enhanced; particular characteristics you'd like disabled?
Can you think of any genes from other species that would benefit your child?

vegetariantaxidermy wrote:Excellent and thoughtful but under-rated film about this called Gattaca.

and another called Triumph of the Will...

-Imp