If you had a baby with a congenital heart defect and a doctor could remove the gene, would you do it to save your baby’s life? Most people probably would. But take that another step further: Would you make your baby a little more intelligent? A little more beautiful? Should you be able to choose their sex? Their skin tone? What if only the rich could afford it? The Ethical and Moral Dilemmas of Human Genetic Modification

The Ethical and Moral Dilemmas of Human Genetic Modification

When a baby is born with a congenital heart defect, the decision to remove the gene to save the baby’s life is an easy one. But when it comes to making a baby more intelligent, beautiful, or selecting their sex, skin tone, the ethical and moral dilemmas become much more complex. The ability to modify a baby’s genetic makeup raises the potential for an ethical double standard, as only those with the financial means would be able to afford it. Additionally, if parents were to modify their baby’s genetic makeup, what would the implications be for those who chose not to? In the light of this, the medical therapy and enhancement must be distinguished, as the former is necessary to save lives, while the latter may blur the lines between therapy and cosmetic enhancement. Furthermore, the long-term effects of human genetic modification on society as a whole must be taken into account. The controversy surrounding human genetic modification is complex and has been debated for years (Subramanian, 2020; O’Brien, 2021). As the technology progresses, it is essential that the ethical, legal and social implications are taken into account when making decisions. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide what is right for them and their family. Cont…