Designer Babies: The Future of Human Genetic Engineering

Designer babies are embryos that have been genetically modified to remove defects or enhance desired traits. This technology raises complex ethical issues about genetic enhancement in humans.

Definition: A designer baby is an embryo genetically engineered in vitro for specially selected traits.

Pros of designer babies:

• Eliminating inherited genetic diseases
• Potentially enhancing physical or mental capabilities
• Increasing lifespans through disease prevention

Cons of designer babies:

• High costs creating unfair advantages for the wealthy
• Loss of genetic diversity and individuality
• Unpredictable consequences of genetic manipulation

Highlight: A key ethical question is where to draw the line between preventing disease and enhancing normal traits.

Conclusion: While genetic engineering and designer babies offer potential benefits, they also carry significant risks. Careful regulation is needed to harness the positive potential while avoiding negative consequences.

Vocabulary:

• Pesticide: Chemical used to kill pests
• Adaptation: Process of changing to suit new conditions
• Astigmatism: Common eye condition causing blurred vision

Genetic Engineering: An Overview

Genetic engineering builds on humanity's long history of selectively breeding plants and animals for desired traits. However, modern genetic modification techniques allow for much faster and more precise changes to DNA.

Key differences between traditional breeding and genetic engineering:

• Speed - genetic engineering can produce changes in a single generation
• Precision - specific genes can be targeted and modified
• Source of genetic material - genes can be transferred between unrelated species

Definition: Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are living things whose DNA has been artificially altered in a laboratory.

Pros and cons of genetic engineering in plants:

Potential benefits:

• Crops adapted to harsh environments
• Plants with enhanced nutrition
• Increased carbon sequestration to fight climate change

Potential risks:

• Cross-contamination with non-GMO crops
• Unknown long-term health effects
• Ecosystem disruption from pesticide-resistant crops

Highlight: The CRISPR gene editing technique has made genetic engineering much cheaper and more accessible, raising new ethical questions about its use in humans.