Transcript “Designer Babies” Ethical?

If You Could, Would You ?
Sandy De Martini 2010
Where Are We HEADED?
 A resent U.S. survey suggest most people support the
notion of building a better baby when it comes to
eliminating serious diseases.
 We all want a healthy baby.
 Will that be enough?
What is a “Designer Baby”?
 Parents will have the opportunity to choose
 Baby's Gender, Eye & Hair Color and Freckles
 In the future you may be able to choose a child with
athletic ability
Designer Babies at a PRICE
 A recent ad in a top college newspaper offered $50,000
for an egg from a bright, healthy young woman.
 Recently a couple with 2 children decided they wanted
a Designer Baby at the cost of $9,000.
 The parent becomes the architect and the child
becomes the ultimate shopping experience.
 Will only the rich be able to afford these babies?
Designer Baby Issues?
 Parental Power
From the point of conception onwards, parents are now viewed as a ‘risk factor’
in their children's lives. Look at the health authorities obsession with the
behavior off pregnant women
 Personal Identity
The inflated problem of parental power and decision-making is linked to an
inflated sense of importance of personality.
 Moral Autonomy
Should we be worrying about a shift in values?
Financing Available
Designer Babies at a Price
Designer Babies
 Recourses ;
 “Designer Babies” Ethical? –The early Show-CBS News
March 3, 2009
 Designer Babies –Time Jan. 11, 1999
 Debating ‘designer babies’ June, 2003
Religion & Ethics newsweekly November 7,2008
 BIONET “Design a Baby?