No

by T. M. Beeker

Created on: February 13, 2008   Last Updated: October 04, 2010

Aside from the theological and biological part of the debate is the idea that children are not cars, jeans, or breast implants. While consumers should be free to purchase things which appeal to their preferences and styles a child is not an accessory but a major responsibility. My fear is parents pick out gender and / or other factors and the child is born. Then one or both parents are dissatisfied with the result. After all, choosing gender and controlling other factors is not going to ensure the child will meet the expectations that such choosy parents have.

In India a male child is valued far and above a female. The ultrasound and abortion industry in that nation is a multi-million dollar concern thanks to people seeking a male over a female. The success of just such a cultural preference has endangered India's population in that numerous males are born only to grow up and find a dwindling pool of females with which to have children.

In the United States such a discrepancy would likewise create problems. Evolution and nature have over millions of years perfected the art of procreation and found balance enough to perpetuate lots of species. For humans to tinker with just such a balance is dangerous. Not only is it dangerous demographically it also increases the risk of genetic tampering that could lead to new disease.

No, its not science fiction. In the 70s and 80s genetic tinkering with crops has led some interesting and scary side effects. Hybrid crops require special handling and nutrition because of its altered DNA, this has led to problems that were not anticipated and required further tinkering to deal with. I would not want to face the nightmare of continued medical and genetic therapy to fix side of effects of choosing my child's gender. Likewise genetically altered crops and animals have caused health concerns in terms of our own food supply. Based on these problems and concerns I would be leery of genetically tinkering with my child.

Since we live in a democracy which runs on capitalism the fact is people with the will and the money can and most likely will start designing their offspring. Democracy means you are usually free to do whatever stupid thing you want to do. Capitalism says if you have the money someone out there can be paid enough to attempt such an undertaking regardless of moral or legal concerns.

Aside from obvious moral and ethical objections the idea of tinkering with your child's DNA is wrong because of the medical risks involved. Keep in mind people with a mind set that they want a designer child will most likely avoid responsibility when something goes wrong. Which means the tax payers would have to pick up the tab to take care of another unwanted child.

For my own personal view I see any child who can beat the biological odds and get born healthy as a miracle. Why add more risk factor to please ones vanity? I love my Son and Daughter equally and appreciate that God saw fit to let me have them. To value one gender over the other is counter to the real reason to have a child, to gain immortality both socially and genetically. If I tinker with my kids DNA don't I imply my own genetic heritage falls short of an imagined idea of an acceptable child. God and Mother Nature seem to have a pretty good handle on this whole reproduction thing, I am not going to monkey with a system that has served us for countless years.

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