Doctor Makes Designer Babies (Would God Be Happy?)

Posted by NWSO • March 10, 2009 • Printer-friendly

I’m sure y’all have heard about this by now, but in case you haven’t there’s a doctor by the name of Jeff Steinberg who recently came out saying that he can make “designer babies.” No, he’s not talking about infants with name brand labels on them. Basically, Dr. Steinberg, who owns fertility clinics in New York City and Los Angeles, says he is close to finalizing technology to genetically engineer embryos by the end of this year. That means prospective parents can pick out their child’s sex, eye and hair color, height and other physical characteristics. Similar technology has actually been in use for years, proving useful in weeding out potential diseases in an embryo’s genetic makeup and helping to determine sex. But if Dr. Steinberg’s claims ring true, we will be going down uncharted moral territory.

To date Dr. Steinberg’s tests have proven to work best with people of Scandinavian heritage because they reportedly have a more “pure” gene pool (read: they haven’t been mixed with too many other races). Although not 100 percent accurate, he believes his process will be perfected within the next few months. When that happens rich parents looking for that “perfect” little boy or girl may start knocking down Dr. Stenberg’s door.

While many encourage the idea of preventing genetic disorders, some are shunning Dr. Steinberg for trying to play God. Giving people the option to “design” their children has been likened to car shopping by some, where consumers select all the bells and whistles before driving off the lot. But this isn’t car bodies we’re talking about, we’re dealing with actual human bodies and more importantly lives. Parents pre-determining height, hair color, intelligence, body type, etc. inhibits the natural cycle of life from occurring. Everyone would look the same and all individuality would fade away. Who’s to say this genetic altering doesn’t deconstruct your child’s soul? Since people were so up in arms at the octo-mom’s artificial insemination resulting her being the proud (single) parent of 14 and folks were so vocal on the topic of abortion, I wanted to hear your thoughts on this.

So where do you stand on the “designer babies” issue? If you had the money would you genetically alter your child’s DNA to come out how you wanted? Do you feel this an immoral procedure? What impact do you think this technology will have on society as a whole? Would you compare this to plastic surgery on a genetic level? Do you think that science has gone too far?

Speak your piece…

genetic-embryo_

Tagged as: abortion, controversy, designer babies, disease, Dr. Jeff Steinberg, genetics, parents, pro-choice

http://www.gangstarrgirl.com Gangstarr Girl

I vote no. That's just creepy.
da ThRONe

Crazy messing with nature is never a good thing. This destined to get out of hand. We will become flawed through prefection. There iis a movie about this very thing and in it if a person wasnt enhanced they were second rate citizens. This and cloning is treading in dangerous waters. What is the worst thing is this is so stupid! Who cares what your child hair color is? Are we that fucked up mentally we have to tamper with our seeds even before there born.
litabia

I do not agree with this at all. It is like playing God and there should be a line we should cross. Why don't these doctors use their intellegence to find the cure for these deadly diseases rather than trying to make the perfect little baby. I wouldn't want to have that baby cause God makes all of us in his image and we down here making little humans based off of wha we think is ideal. That's just doing too much. I'm scared for the little man made humans that is going to raoming our land.
EmotionalFunk

I wouldn't have my child genetically designed and I don't think its immoral either. As far as the impact of this technology on society I think it can be a very good asset as well as a disastrous thing in the long run to society as far as elimination traits/conditions like Tay Sachs, Sickle cell and other genetic traits that are passed on at the DNA level. But also using it to eliminate/eradicate certain health issues like the ones I mentioned and more could also damage us on an environmental level.
For instance since there could be more people living longer because of deadly conditions being weeded out we could also have more people living longer and consuming our finite resources. Overcrowding could become and issue as well as not enough resources to sustain us all.
Tee

I have to say this is an interesting blog. Im a Chemical Science major, soon to graduate this semester, and while topics such as genetic make-up interest me, I believe there's a god and therefore that particular doctor to me is trying to play God, he's walking into some unchartered territory.
Spinster

Depends on one's belief system. If one does not believe in a higher power, then this may not be a much of an issue as it would for someone who does. (And possibly vice versa.)

My opinion - not sure yet.
distinguishedgentlewoman

In my opinion this is scary and wrong on so many levels. It is like playing God. Scientists have gone WAY too far, while science has not gone far enough. When they find cures for AIDS and cancer then I would say they have reached a plateau we can be proud of.
irish_mami8

I'm all for using the technology to prevent genetic disease. Who wouldn't want to prevent their child from having to endure a painful disease? I believe that God gives us everything for a reason, including technology (the inspiration to invent something has to come from somewhere), but what we do with it is on us. I've heard talk of this for a while, but it honestly scares me to go that far. Preventing genetic disease is one thing, but playing God is another. I don't think we were meant to go this far. Sounds like a bad sci-fi movie to me. But let's be realistic, no matter how much we're against it, you know that the Beverly Hills country club set is gonna be all over this. They'd like nothing better than to have their children be "perfect". We'll have a bunch of Stepford children running around. But watch little Buffy, who they spent millions of dollars giving her perfectly straight blonde hair and blue eyes, end up marrying a black man. Sorry, I've got a twisted sense of humor sometimes. But am I the only one who thinks this sounds a little like what the Holocaust was all about? Hitler was all about what he thought was the perfect race and keeping bloodlines pure. Haven't we evolved past that yet? I personally think that diversity is what makes us great. Otherwise life would be so boring.
Simone

SMH....messing with God's work. They should have never allowed this man to reach this far. If I choose to have any more children, i would do it the old fashion way. I know we are advancing in technology but that's taking it to another level of craziness in my opinion.
http://nakedwithsockson@gmail.com Mondina

Things like that let us know that the world is coming to a end.( that comment is only for who believe in a higher power). I think he is so wrong, who is he to decide how a person should be, God made all of us in a beautiful way. Some may be ugly, some maybe crippled,and some maybe deformed. That is how it should be, we should love a person for who they are not what they should look like. I think he will be birthing robots, we will really have to watch out, a born killing machine if not train well, there will be no reasoning for a child born with no soul. My view point in this matter is, i thought the mad scientist had died in frankienstain.
Ameretta

Heck No!

It's wrong in so many ways......In my opinion being able to carry a baby is a gift itself! There are so many women out there wanting to have a baby & simply can not!!!

We can design clothes, shoes, our hair, our house/apt......but to design a child is simply taking God's work out of his hands. People with money don't have anything better to do?
Ameretta

@ distinguishedgentlewoman

I'm with you on fining a cure to AIDS.....the money that will be spent to making a "designer child" could go so much farther!! But I have my own theory to why a cure is not found for that or cancer!

But that is a different post, on a different day......
distinguishedgentlewoman

@ Ameretta:

I know what you mean. I also have a few theories as to why cures have not been found.
Mia

OMG!!! what will we create next?! lord have mercy!! i am all fo improvement in the med sector wen it comes to finding a cure for all sorts diseases [lord knows we need to find a cure] but trying to manufacture a baby like a car and then getting it CUSTOM made[??? are u serios?!] now thas just plain messed up!! so i NO to s h i t like this! its jus wrong, wrong on so many levels!
http://markrileymedia.com mark riley

Interesting, the thing about gene pools and purity. Why would anyone in this day and age want a "pure" gene pool in the first place? As to "designer" children, as with any design there are always flaws. Does the good doctor fix them? If so, how? With the next "design?"
Ameretta

@ Mark Riley!

Good case in point! When you handmake a design there are some mistakes! But guess what! The same doctor that helped you design, will help you fix the mistake, at another hefty cost!!!

Bottom line: Deisgner Child could be a lucrative business! Morally wrong, but financialy rich!! Look what vanity and greed can get people!
Melody

its horrible, if anything they need to design babies to not have the genetic makeup of crazies, serial killers, and rapists!
Nina

Without big pockets supporting this type of research this doctor would not have been able to get this far. I wish that this type of energy and zeal was put into treating people that are already here and suffering from MS, alzheimers, spine ebifida, and all kinds of other painful and debilitating diseases and injuries. It is incredibly scary that Man believes that this type of interference in creating life won't have consequences.
PeachesNPuddin’

If we're leaning towards a religious argument, then by all means, no... this isn't the best idea.

If we're allowing science to prevail and lead us, then by all means, yes... this is a great idea.

Now,
If we're allowing my ideals to seep into the minds of others, then I'm partial to the experiment. I wouldn't mind seeing it take place, just for the sake of saying ''it DID take place''... But on another generous note... Playing God? You get burned every time... there's no argument there.

My idea of a 'perfect' child is/are those that already exist. Each and every one of us. We are perfect in our own right. Hence, this explains those of us with 'handicaps' and those of us without 'handicaps' .... Everyone.

If you're willing to think outside that realm of hope and foresee something greater than yourself... then you'd understand the truth in handicaps/disabilities. They exist as a balance to what is considered 'normal'.

I'd say try the 'forbidden' experiment and when it generalizes society and fails to achieve the very essence of perfection, we can fall back and go back to the old way of making babies... hehe *giggles*
irish_mami8

@mark riley: With pure gene pools, come more genetic diseases. Just look at inbreeding. You need some variety to maintain a healthy gene pool. Now, don't take this the wrong way. I'm not comparing people to animals, but with breeding animals, if the breeding lines are too close, then you end up with problems. I'm sure that the same can be said for people. That's why their are laws against people marrying relatives. But if we're playing with genetic code, can we really predict everything that will happen?
http://nwso.net NWSO

@ Irish_Mami8

People tend to forget that we ARE animals. We're classified as mammals, with other animals like cats, dogs, rats, etc all fall in the same category. The only thing separating us is the fact that we're sentient and aware of our own immortality. But we're still animals just the same. So I don't see why the same rules you suggest wouldn't apply to us.

As much as we as a species think we're better than other species (shoot sometimes races) we are still one of God's (Earth's) animals.
Caribeza

Wow.. I think to be able to design a baby would be so wrong.

One of the beautiful things (this is all hypothetical -- no kids myself), that bonds parents with kids is the process of loving that kid despite things that may be off about them physically. Matching up those quirks with the great things inside the kid and loving the whole package is one of the joys of parenthood, I would imagine.

Imagine those parents who design the perfect kid on the outside only to not be satisfied with the inside, which they wont be able to genetically manouevre. I foresee emotional trauma for all those poor "perfect" little kiddies.
da ThRONe

I think it funny people can say that genetic alterations and cloning is "Playing God" but support abortions!

There is nothing wrong with trying to improve human life ,but this isnt improving this is nit picking! I think when you do stuff like this you gotta take the "Risk-Reward" factor into consideration. Whats at risk is your baby life. Whats your reward high cheek bones or green eyes. I think that it just obvious that its not worth it.
mimi

@ da throne, I get your initial comment--I do, however, always get a funny feeling when it is a man talking about abortion, as he is never the one who has to physically carry the child for 9 months.

Same with this topic. For me, as a healthy and attractive woman, I cannot imagine being able to design a baby while in the womb (it does seem like plastic surgery on the genetic level) but what would really interest me, I suppose, would be hearing what people with true deformities and physical defects would say. Would they have preferred to have been free of those defects/deformities, or do they embrace them? Do they feel like they were made that way for a reason or do they resent having been born that way? Of course, I am sure answers would range, but it seems easier to say something is wrong when it does not directly affect us.
Potato w/ Jive

@ mimi...i gotta say this has come up very often with regard to men and abortions. Just because a person has a penis doesnt void him from having a valid opinion. I get it. Women carry babies so its their body but in many cases that decision involves more than just mommy. My two cents.

@ da Throne. I too have issue with this idea of "playing God". I hear that. But moreover, removing God out of the equation, it just seems more dangerous to tinker with the natural order of how things occur. Scientists are human and can make mistakes too. My stance with these controversial developments in science is always, "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should"

This goes for abortions, cloning, designer babies, and growing human ears on the backs of lab mice (true story, look it up) If it ain't broke...
Chanel

Ever seen the movie "Gattaca"? It deals with this exact subject, and the results are pretty freaking scary. This doctor frightens me.
da ThRONe

@mimi

I think you missed my point and connecting the two! In both cases you are intervening with nature and that is what people mean by "Playing God" right?

I just find it funny people can make a case against genetic alterations using the same logic that they abandone when it comes to abortions.

Im just calling people out! Be consistent.
da ThRONe

@Potato w/ Jive

Yeah I never got that either. Its like saying "Because you dont have cancer you cant cure it" thats silly.

Another topic people have been saying(when it comes to abortions) is that some how the government have no right to tell people what to do with there bodies. Yet the would vote to outlaw cloning or something like this. When something like genetic alterations can be compared to liposuction or breast implants. I just dont understand the level of contradictions people live with!
Hope2Star

preventing diseases=good

creating a "super race" or blonde haired, blue eyed rich kids= VERY BAD
Hope2Star

@ da throne

Not to go back to the abortions discussion I may not have cancer but its a possibility could have it (God Forbid!). Men will never be pregnant. I think because the woman carries the child people feel the the ultimate decision is hers.
Potato w/ Jive

not to gang up on you Hope, but using that logic doesnt that also negate ANY of our opinions on this issue of designer babies too?

It aint YOUR kid, so who cares right?
da ThRONe

@Hope2star

The right decision knows no gender! I am in no shape or form saying just because my opinion is well thought out that makes me right ,but how is me being a man discredit anything I have to say? If i was a woman with the very same opinion would that make it right? My veiws or based on principles and morals(not religious morals just social morals).
da ThRONe

@Everybody

How is Genetic alterations any different then abortions.

And please use logic to make your case. Do not use just cause your a woman and im a man or genetic altering is evil.
Optical_Illusion

When you put it in terms of "playing God", genetic alterations aren't any different from abortions. Genetic alterations and abortions allow us to exercise our free will over a matter that He didn't give us an option to exercise free will about.

However, I do agree with genetic alterations, if it is used, as many have stated for POSITIVE development, such as the curing of mental illness, addiction, arthritis, sickle cell, etc (some of which run in my family and I would love to see eliminated).

This is also the way In feel about abortion. Abortion SHOULD be legal because people are going to have abortions REGARDLESS. It needs to be kept safe and regulated. I hate to think of some seventeen-year-old getting a backdoor abortion and dying because they made a mistake and were too scared to talk to mom (a whole new topic).

I agree with the fellas. Men definitely have a say so in whether or not a child should be born. Believe it or not, some men do care! Remember the guy, about 10 years back that sued a young lady because she wanted to abort his child?????
Jenn Perez

WOW.. we are entering very scary times.. I did watch the Movie Gattaca (Ethan Hawke n Uma Thurman) and I thought of that movie as Soon as I read the preview of this blog.
As a daughter of a Brain cancer fighter, I would love for a cure to Cancer But then again- - If all of us continue living, forever- - then our world would be even more overpopulated than ever. Maybe diseases such as Cancer, Lupus etc are God's way of letting us live our lives until x amount of time?? And then again maybe not.. Ive read so many different religious/spiritual books and explored so many options but I still believe in God. Unfortunately, once this physician 'perfects his craft'- - you know the rich people will be all up on that. But guys- do not get it twisted, not only the white pple are rich.. there are many blacks, hispanics, asians etc- - come on, look at Hollywood and their multiple births. Diddy just had twin girls after three boys.. Jlo.. the red head chick from desp. Housewives. Plus being smaller than before pregnancy-- all that is medically altered nonsense which will only get worse if this actually works.
BUT by 'curing' or preventing certain illnesses/ailments are we potentially setting the stage for Worse diseases- - immunity to the meds that we use for these diseases (chemo, antibiotics)??? I know a girl who loves to self diagnose herself and self medicate (usually gets a lot of UTI's or yeast infections...my personal opinion is that her man is a dirty dog who brings this to her) and the last time i spoke with her- her body had become immune to most of the "illins" and her last visit had been str8 to the ER with extra worse 'symtoms' of a relatively common infection. Imagine that times 1000 (or more).. That is scary. And what about the genes that are NOT identified..what if by genetically creating these children we increase the potential of these genes.. Breast cancer can be genetically determined..brain, colon, lung etc at this point cannot scientifically be genetically determined (nor has a genetic link been proven) What about that?
Imagine these rich arrogant assholes who think of themselves as the Creme de la creme- - Wouldnt that bring us 'normal' people into insanity and wanting to fuk them and all of their 'mini-me's" up??
I'm against this shit all the way. IT is not up to US to determine who or how one gets to this world and by playing God, we are opening the door to Hell.
http://nakedwithsockson@gmail.com Mondina

@Jenn-Perez, Great comment, couldn't have said it better.
Jenn Perez

thanks Mondina!!!
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Rae Nicole

Well I have a Bachelor's in Genetics and I am working on my Master's in Genetics (speciialziing in genetic counseling and working w/ physcians & families of children with genetic diseases and disorders by providing genetic consultation and interpretation).

Now my stand is, yes the technology in place (PGD) which allows us to avoid a baby with life threatening diseases such as Tay-Sachs (child dies while young and suffers due to condition) is acceptable to me. Perhaps that parent has 1 child already with that condition, its expensive to keep that child alive plus they may not be able afford to have another child with that same condition (its a 25% chance with each pregnancy) or perhaps they can't take the emotional loss of a child again...
Now choosing sex, I think is immoral, it serves no medical purpose and we should take what God blesses us with. As far as choosing EYE COLOR & HAIR COLOR...we are SSOOO far off from that. There are tons of GENES that goes into eye color and skin color, not just one, and guess what, we DON'T know them all. So its not happening by the end of this year or years, but I can see technology improving (my opinion). HOwever, I do feel its immoral in choosing things that for non-medical purposes that God has control over. Why wouldn't you want your child to look like you? why choose things that separate the bonding process of a parent and child?
Mike

Isn't this another way of adouption:

reminds me of that ske-lo song: If I was a little bit taller I would be a baller....

But for real I wouldn't change my kids for anything.. I had 4: 2boys and 2girls my youngest son died of S.I.D.S and our heart was broken but I would never take away Gods plan..
mimi

@ all people talking about a man's say in abortion:

While this post is NOT about abortion, and my comment was to introduce my next piece, I will say that I completely understand that men have their opinions about what should happen with their unborn children; however, these opinions should be discussed PRE sex. This way, if an unwanted pregnancy did occur, no one would feel like they didn't have a say in the decision...
http://tinyurl.com/a9zk2f SingleMama

I don't think it's appropriate. God is the creator and ruler of all.
Truth

Sodom and Gamorrah, the end is near. When a man can take something so beautiful as a baby that God has blessed man and woman with and attempt to make it in an image that he feels is perfect, that my friend is not progress that's an abomination. Not only is he playing God but he's trying to make himself into an idol. E-Y-E-S-W-I-D-E-O-P-E-N. God bless this world i pray that people get a hefty dose of "wake up brothers and sisters!!!"
Sam

F*** this morality crap!! If I can have a blue eyed baby, sure...why not?? As long as the baby grows up healthy, I'm fine by it!!!
Jin

This is amazing. I cannot wait for this to be out and available to people. You all need to stop letting religion blind you from the beauty of science these days. Believe what you like but, man kind is advancing and becoming more intelligent. Why can you not appreciate that? I have to say Doctor Jeff Steinberg, you are a genius.
ava

Well, I strongly doubt this doctor to tell the truth!
I don't think our technology is that far that we already can 'design' anything but only determine sex. Who's this doctor?
Zobiya x

THIS IS SO ABSURD.
you people need to be happy with what you have ; so much greed.
the end of the world is near.
save yourself before its too late.
Jamie

Have you seen the movie GATTACA? Our world will be kind of like that with people lying, cheating, stealing, and even killing to be accepted, but you also have to add the fact that abortation rates and abandoned children will skyrocket considering that many people will pay for a service that will never be competely perfected. Also, for the person saying that she strongly doubts that we have the technology, we really do, unfortunately have the tecnology to do just these things. Laws have limited what we can do with it, which is good, but has not limited it enough. In Los Angeles there was a clinic that started offering the ability to chose the hair color and eye color and sex of your baby and due to public outcry they halted there offerings.

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