Inheritable Gene Modification- Pros and Cons

Customization of a baby

Inheritable gene modification is a modification of an inheritable genetic information so that the future generations can inherit the modified traits based on the altered gene. Scientists have been dedicated in studying gene modification because of three reasons: explore the ways of how an altered gene can fend off certain diseases, have certain animals create essential proteins, and learn how modified genes can help or harm an animal. There are various ideas about inheritable gene modification, especially when it comes to customizing a baby.

Pros
Some support such process because it would prevent the parents from passing down a disease such as Tay-Sachs, a nerve cell destroying disorder. Ceasing the inheriting spread of similar disease like these will allow humans to survive longer and become much healthier, which will allow them to contribute to the economy more effectively. This will improve the world's food supply and other economic and healthcare related matters, and countries will become more advanced and developed than now.



It can also allow the baby to possibly live longer, be more athletic, more intelligent, and incorporate with any other beneficial traits. This will allow parents to have a better control of their children in what they what their child to be like.

Cons
Along with all the possible benefits, there are also some who criticize the modification of nature's creativity. The process is irreversible, and the parents need to be forever grateful with what they have chosen. Soon enough, many genetically modified people will be treated as "objects," since they were modified and possible look alike with many others.


A common idea is that babies are not born for "show." Humans should accept what Mother Nature has created for them and not tamper with generations of inherited genetic traits hat might have other yet to be discovered benefits.


Sources:
http://www.debate.org/opinions/should-there-be-designer-babies
http://www.geneticsandsociety.org/article.php?id=287
http://nlcatp.org/8-vital-pros-and-cons-of-genetically-modified-corn/
http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/tay-sachs-disease

Pictures:
http://cdn.makeuseof.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/designer-baby-840x420.jpg?6055c3
http://designerbabies.weebly.com/uploads/2/0/4/3/2043707/3931696.jpg
http://ichef-1.bbci.co.uk/news/660/media/images/80325000/jpg/_80325810_g3400060-human_cloning-spl(1).jpg