Essay – Should parents be able to modify their unborn children?
Should parents be able to modify their unborn children? Essay: The advancements in medicinal and biological sciences have brought about a revolution in biotechnology. The gradual emergence of genetic engineering in India since the early 2000s has paved the way for the era of ‘Designer Babies”. The revolutionary concept of genetic engineering has sparked numerous reservations concerning the laws and ethics of producing designer babies. In 1978, Paul Berg, regarded as the father of genetic engineering, inserted the SV-40 Virus gene in bacterium successfully. This allowed him to make modifications such as removing defects and adding desired traits in the DNA of unborn children.
Discussion
The use of germline technology or editing to produce designer babies is frowned upon in India as it does not go along the democratic and spiritual principles characteristic of the nation, its ethical concerns are enough to legislate laws prohibiting research and practices of genetic modifications. In the simplest of terms, designer babies refer to the use of germline editing to make genetic modifications to an unborn child. The technology enables parents to set particular personality or character traits in an embryo, egg or sperm to produce a baby of their liking. The first designer baby is Adam Nash born in the United States of America in 2000.
The concepts of Germline Gene Editing or Gerome Editing and In Vitro fertilization processes are fundamental prior to considering the ethical implications of genetic modification.
Genome editing enables individuals to adjust changes in the existing DNA with required traits by modifying or changing genes. In countries like the United Kingdom and France, Genome editing has been banned on social grounds. In vitro is an external process of gene modification in contradiction to genome technology. The process entails making changes in the genetic makeup of the embryo, egg or sperm outside the human body in a test tube or a petri dish for fertilization and then injected into the fetus.
Genetic modifications through genome editing or any other genetic engineering methods may prove to be beneficial for future generations as it stops the passage of hereditary diseases like, Leukemia, Diabetes, haemophilia or sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV.genetic modifications can also facilitate in building an advanced society of effective and patriotic citizens. On the other hand, the demerits of genetic modifications are drastic as it can lead to the destruction of embryos in case of procedural failure. At the same time, it is apprehensive that society will be polarized between the perfectly created generations of babies and the ones preceding the genetic evolution. It can ruin the gene pool as the advanced traits are hereditary.
Conclusion
To surmise, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recommended the abolishment of genetic modification of newborns under the stringent orders of the Central Government. It has been banned on ethical grounds as it is not compatible with the principles of Indian society.. The modification procedures being expensive can lead to society being divided causing internal society threats of the nation. It is confined to research and knowledge-acquiring processes only to get a better understanding of things in future.
FAQs related to Should parents be able to modify their unborn children? essay
Q1. Who is the father of genetic modifications?
Ans: In 1978, Paul Berg, regarded as the father of genetic engineering, inserted the SV-40 Virus gene in a bacterium successfully. This allowed him to make modifications such as removing defects and adding desired traits in the DNA of unborn children.
Q2. What is In Vitro?
Ans: In vitro is an external process of gene modification in contradiction to genome technology. The process entails making changes in the genetic makeup of the embryo, egg or sperm outside the human body in a test tube or a petri dish for fertilization and then injected in the fetus.
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