A Los Angeles fertility clinic has sparked controversy by offering parents the ability to select the sex, hair color and eye color of babies. However, “designer babies” have actually been here for many years already. The technology, called preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), is currently used during in vitro fertilization to screen embryos for genetic diseases (such as Huntington’s disease, sickle cell anemia, muscular dystrophy) prior to implantation into the mother’s womb. The difference now is that you are selectively choosing an embryo based on physical traits. The LA Fertility Institute’s first such designer baby is expected to be born next year and will no doubt spark discussions of ethics and morality.
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Tags: designer baby, embryos, ethics, fertility, fertilization, genetic disease, genetic screening, Genetics, in vitro
Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
March 2nd, 2009 at 2:41 am
So now we are playing God? Look out, world, the Real God will soon vent out His anger on us all if we are not careful.
March 2nd, 2009 at 5:14 am
I agree with Sarah,only God can decide if the baby is fair or darkor male or female,because He is the Creator and not human beings,who are His creations.
March 2nd, 2009 at 7:15 am
This is so true what sarah said coz its not like God did this for us and now we just take over
March 2nd, 2009 at 10:28 am
Can’t believe these clinics even exist. What is this world coming to. Have we all gone mad???? This angers me
March 2nd, 2009 at 3:44 pm
this does not seem right, however God is allowing us to do ths, everything we do is by his will and is also a test for us. Also anything that is made by humans has many defects because it is not from God himself. doing this can maybe cause many problems because humans are playing around with one’s genes think all the disorders this may cause
March 2nd, 2009 at 5:36 pm
I belive that God made the world in six day and rested on the seven day. I belive that God made everything and everyone,so if you don’t think that I’m praying for you.
April 15th, 2009 at 4:25 am
I can tell that this is not the first time you write about the topic. Why have you decided to touch it again?