Designer babies, sometimes referred to as genetically modified babies, are embryos that have been genetically modified (or gene-edited) for specific traits, such as enhanced intelligence, strength, or disease prevention
. They are created through a process called in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and involve the manipulation of embryos' genes to achieve the desired characteristics
. The concept of designer babies has raised various ethics concerns, including:
- Eugenics : The specter of eugenics is a common concern surrounding genetic "innovations"
- Health risks to children : There may be potential health risks to children resulting from gene editing, such as off-target effects and safety concerns
- Failure of self-regulation : There are concerns about the lack of professional codes and the potential for a "chilling effect" on scientific research
- Parental autonomy : The personal, reproductive autonomy and desires of parents for biologically related offspring should be considered in the context of designer babies
Designer babies represent a significant advancement in technology and have the potential to improve human health and scientific research. However, there remain many unanswered questions and concerns about the ethics and implications of creating designer babies
