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With the discovery and growing research around CRISPR / Cas9, scientists are now able to effectively and consistently edit a genome. As this research continues, CRISPR can eventually move towards editing the human embryo, producing genetically enhanced babies. These designer babies will hold a bright future for humanity, but as genetic engineering becomes reality, the world must answer and accept the implications that come with it.
ociety gravitates towards the standard of beauty, working to reach its self-made image of an ideal body or intellect. People have always wanted to be more than just normal, they want to be better. This idea transfers from society and influences the lives of their children. Parents want their children to be healthy, smart, and strong and to be the best in every aspect. As genetic engineering develops, they are continually approaching their goal of having their dream child. In the present, CRISPR / Cas9 is being developed to manipulate the genomes of living organisms to cure disease and disorders. Yet, while it can makes our children disease free, why not make the baby stronger, smarter, or good-looking?
Scientists learned that Cas9 can be programmed to cut out specific sequences of DNA, which they can hopefully develop to cut out certain genetic disorders in a human embryo. Despite the current limitations, CRISPR / Cas9 is a step towards genetic engineering as the system may eventually be precise enough to cut out correct harmful sequences with little to no errors.
As CRISPR develops, scientists may eventually be able to edit the human genome within an embryo. The system allows scientists to edit out certain parts of a genome, developing
“ Now we have to ask if we are willing to accept and promote this research or deny it for the naturality of human life?”
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an embryo to have specific traits. Designer babies will be genetically engineered embryos that will be designed with certain traits and attributes, such as a larger muscular frame or a specific hair color. Ultimately, parents and scientists will have the ability to determine the appearance and have the ability to cure the child of disease during its embryonic development.
The first few designer babies probably will have their genes edited to prevent a certain disease that developed during pregnancy. But, as CRISPR becomes refined, parents may eventually be able to cure their child, along with deciding certain traits that the child will be born with. These genetically modified children will affect the entire gene pool, as their genes will pass on through generations, making their offspring stronger and smarter.
Humanity will realize that genetic engineering opens a door for their children to achieve peak physical and intellectual potential. Their children will be free of genetic diseases that may bring suffering, and their genes will pass on to make stronger offspring. They will live longer and contribute towards a healthier and smarter society. Society may realize that it may be more unethical to not genetically engineer their children, for that would deny the
24 | THE BELL NUCLEUS · Jan 2016