Is there such thing as a 'flawless' baby?

     Could your vision of the ideal baby finally become a reality? Would you consider to eliminate the genes of undesirable traits and inherited diseases to produce a ‘perfect’ customized baby? To what degree is it fulfilling to know that there are innovative technologies making it possible to choose characteristics like picking an item from a catalogue?

     Over 3500 inherited diseases have been linked to faulty genes. Genetic diseases among Canadians include cystic fibrosis, diabetes, hemophilia, Huntington’s chorea, and sickle cell anemia. Advancements in scientific knowledge of the human genome highly influences the increase of the parental demand for designer babies. Reproductive technologies have been developed to enable doctors and parents to screen embryos notonly for certain disease-bearing genes, but also for characteristics such as eye colour, hair colour, and complexion. 


     Advanced reproductive techniques involves In-Vitro Fertilization, or IVF which is a procedure of fertilizing egg cells by sperm outside the mother’s body. This procedure is associated with a technique called pre-implantation genetics diagnosis (PGD) to examine embryos for defects before implantation in the womb. This technique allows us to modify genes by replacing faulty sections of DNA with healthy ones.

     On top of producing a healthy baby, the concept of enhancing and equipping babies with genes for good looks and intelligence can be very enticing. But ask yourself, should your morals or ethical limits apply to the selection of your children’s genes or characteristics? By 2020, it is expected that the demands of embryo screening will increase due to the discoveries of genetic variations that substantially raise the risk of common conditions. This could encourage controversy over the ethics of designer babies.


     In the decision-making process, it is critical to rule out what is important. Are you only choosing traits because you have a specific preference for a particular child or is it to avoid diseases or dysfunction? If it urges you to seek counselling, then by all means seek counselling. However, you should be under the impression that genetic modifications could potentially irreversibly alter human species.

          In my opinion, laws should restrict embryo screenings to prevent abuse of these advanced technologies, and must only undergo procedures under certain circumstances. I consider non-medical purposes of selecting embryos as unethical. We are not entitled to choose from a selection of traits. I view this situation from a different perspective, while in belief that we should just embrace the characteristics and traits that make up who we are.

References:
http://www.bionetonline.org/english/content/db_cont1.htm

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/03/earlyshow/health/main4840346.shtml

http://articles.cnn.com/2008-10-30/tech/designer.babies_1_genetic-screening-designer-babies-animal-embryos?_s=PM:TECH

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=regulate-designer-babies

Commented Blog Posts:
Claudia's Blog: "What's wrong with my baby?"

Marc's Blog: "Designer Babies #smh"

World Wildlife Fund Promises A Better Future

Saving the planet is a huge notion to grasp on. We can incorporate the word “biodiversity” to comprise the entire concept. The complexity of our planet provides a suitable environment for the millions of distinct biological species. However, the Earth began to lose species and habitats at an increasing rate due to human activity. The conservation of biodiversity is very important. Biological diversity is the resource upon which families, communities, nations and future generations depend. Without biological diversity, life as you know it would end. Fortunately, we have World Wildlife Fund, which is Canada’s leading conservation organizations, taking a step in the right direction. 

     Human health is strongly linked to the health of ecosystems, which meet many of our most critical needs. 

Maria Neira, Director of WHO's Department for 
the Protection of the Human Development

Biodiversity has declined by more than a quarter in the last 35 years due to habitat destruction and wildlife trade. It is difficult to determine how much species we are losing because we don't know exactly how much we have to begin with. However, we have just about enough information to prove that it is harmful.

The dodo is an extinct flightless bird, 

once a native of the island of Mauritius.

Population growth and our consumption of natural resources are the main reasons why over 500 species are dangerously close to extinction. 

Illegal logging is a profitable activity and this over-exploitation is currently unsustainable.

Through a scientific analysis, experts were able to come up with a conclusion that the declining population of species we are seeing today is estimated to be between 1 000 and 10 000 times higher than the natural extinction rate.*

* The natural extinction rate is the relative amount of species extinctions that would occur if humans were not around.

World Wildlife Fund Canada plays a major leadership role to assist in securing the future of biodiversity and the abundance of life on Earth. “By 2050, the integrity of the most outstanding natural places on earth is conserved, contributing to a more secure and sustainable future for all.” WWF promises a better future. To achieve this, WWF will be working with partners worldwide promoting, developing and implementing lasting solutions to the environmental challenges that we all face.

References:

http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/biodiversity/what_is_biodiversity/

http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/biodiversity/biodiversity/

http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/biodiversity/threatsto_biodiversity/

http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/biodiversity/wwf_and_biodiversity/

Commented Blog Posts:

Dora's Bioblog - "What's up with the reefs?"

Claudia's Bioblog - "Green Quest - Green Diagnostics"