The human God complex

Should we be allowed to control DNA?

If you imagine, that you are terminally ill, you will need a new liver or you have achieved an age in which it’s required to get a transplant, wouldn’t it be a relief when you know that you have a contingency reserve? But what price do we have to pay for that and what are the limits on this matter?

The controversial method I’m talking about is the in-vitro fertilization in combination with pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). In this artificial insemination, the actual fertilization doesn’t take place in the uterus of the woman, rather in the test tube. Moreover, the decision is made by the PGD, which embryo is inserted into the mother. In consequence of this, hereditary diseases such as Trisonomie 21 (Down syndrome) or cystic fibrosis can be identified and sorted out by chromosome analysis in advance. Therefore it is possible to generate a baby with certain characteristics targeted.

In Germany this method is permitted only when a couple has completed at least one year of unprotected regular intercourse and still hope for a positive pregnancy. However, that does not include the PGD, because the selection of an embryo with certain properties is still banned, as well as in England. Nevertheless, in 2003, Jamie, the first “rescue-baby” of the UK, was born. The genetic studies were performed in the United States, because they are illegal in England as well as in Germany. Jamie was born to allow his older brother, who suffers from a life-threatening blood disease, a chance for cure. Similarly, it already happened in Spain and France, where children were born to permit older siblings a healing.

But anyone who thinks he found the answer to all the deadly diseases hasn’t really looked outside of the box. Because here revealed much more potential yet.

The U.S. company “23andMe” registered the patent with the unassuming name of "gamete donor selection based on genetic calculations" (patent number: 8543339) in September this year, which allows to determine the genetic characteristics of a child (e.g., eye color, or susceptibility to disease) on the basis of the parental genome. Critics call this method as a precursor for the so-called “designer babies”, when it comes to the idea that an embryo with certain attributes and properties, such as athletic, intelligent or even eye color can be created.

In my opinion it’s very difficult to decide about anothers person’s life! I think it is ok to have a second child, to help the older sibling by donations, as long as the new born child won’t be harmed or disadvantaged. But I don’t like the use of the PGD, because I think humans shouldn’t be allowed to play “god”. Therefore I absolutely don’t like the idea of designer babies. Eliminating natural selection and creating a greed for power! And if we have learned anything from the Nazis: there shouldn’t be any way to control somebody or something because of special circumstances!

What's about you? Do you think it is questionable and ethical to create a child and "exploit" it to save other children? If so, where are the boundaries in terms of donations and is it ok to decide about the life of other people (who can’t decide for themselves)?

And what about designer babies: should we leave it to genetics or should a person be allowed to choose their child 's sex or characteristics for the parents' pleasure?

L.M