The Future of Genetics: Build-a-Baby

The Future of Genetics: Build-a-Baby

By: Jessica Marie

For centuries, film makers have toyed with the idea of “genetic selection.” However, being able to customize a supreme race of more attractive with more genetic immunities to diseases is very close to no longer being categorized as science fiction. GATTACA once took us into the world of valids and invalids. The audience watched shoveling down popcorn as the human race became divided and hostel between the normal human births and those who were more fit and privileged because of their DNA.

Genetic engineering is already being carried out successfully on non-human animals. “The gene which makes jellyfish fluoresce has been inserted into mice embryos, resulting in glow-in-the-dark rodents,” says BBC NEWS. “Other mice have had their muscle-mass bettered, or been made to be more faithful to their partners, through the introduction of a gene into their standard genetic make-up. But these scientists predict the amazing breakthroughs in genetically engineering lab mice and farm critters will eventually be applied to the animals at the top of the food chain,” says Daniel Q. Haney, “scientists already recognize some of the combinations of genes that help people defend against some major illnesses. So, one objective of human germline engineering could be to help the genetically less fortunate share these built-in health advantages.”

It is not long before experimentation on humans is going to be carried out. As technology and science get closer to being able to engineer supreme race one has to wonder is this good for the human race or not?

The plus sides are our children could be engineered to be born with out the possibility of heart disease or diabetes or down-syndrome...but are we scientifically enhancing ourselves or finally finishing Hitler’s work?

Because “In the Brave New World predicted by Horizon, scientists will do more than screen for disease-free embryos. They will be able to add characteristics to a newly-fertilized embryo, eliminate 'undesirable' characteristics - or both,” says BBC NEWS.

Quirks and differences combine together and contribute to our personality. What if annoyingness was not learned? Music was no longer a talent a child had to work at? What if sarcasm, affectionate males, and homosexuality was plucked out of the genes at birth? Where is diversity among personality?

While cancer, HIV, and AIDS are terrible, I think that scientists are acting “American.” They want their citizens to once again be the chosen people, an example on their hill for the entire world to marvel at…but without suffering and pain and unfortunate diseases would the world be able to appreciate happiness and well-being as much? If a teenager was unable to get HIV and AIDS wouldn’t the rate of sexual encounters increase?

This ability will be upon us in the not-so distant future and is a real threat to the individuality and appreciation of the simplicities in life. Movies like The Prestige, The Island, and GATTACA have given us a peak into the reality of what is to come…how will you react when science fiction becomes a chilling reality?