Playing the role of God.

From a religious standpoint playing the role of God would be completely unacceptable, but to me it’s okay up until the capabilities of science reach a certain point. If we could eliminate the risk of deadly diseases why wouldn’t we? If we could eliminate the chance of having a mentally disabled child, why shouldn’t we? But where exactly should the line be drawn? I believe that couples should want to have a child because they want to nurture a life, and be the best parents that they can be, not because they want a blonde haired, blue eyed, bombshell.

Every parent’s worse nightmare is to have a handicapped child, whether it is mentally or physically. The heartache that is brought upon these parents must be unbearable, as well as the physical draining. When a patient is looking for an embryo they can screen them out for cancer risk, the risk of cystic fibrosis, and other diseases. Obviously it is a logical decision to make. Why implant a baby with a chance of developing a deadly disease? These embryos have a great chance of not even surviving inside the mom let alone outside. We might as well try our best to eliminate this risk from the very beginning.

Some people will argue that people donate more embryos then are being used and some believe that when the embryos are not used, they are discarded, which, in some peoples eyes is killing an innocent life, but is it really? At that point in time an embryo consists of nothing but cells, there is no heart beat, no eyes or ears- all of that comes once it is implanted into a woman. People cannot argue the killing of a life because there is not a 100% chance that each embryo will survive once implanted.

When a woman donates an embryo there is a process in which the donor fills out a “consent form.” This form is a written statement of what the donor wants to do with the embryos. Such as, if they were to die, ECT. So, as soon as the form is signed- it is up to no one but the donor to decide how the embryo, if unused, is handled.

Scientifically we are capable of a lot when it comes to “playing the role of God,” and some will tell you that these capabilities are around to stay. So who decides where the line is drawn. Allowing people to genetically create their own babies, according to eye color, hair color, intelligence, and sexual preference will only cause major problems in our society. Imagine if, our world came up with a “perfect child description,” not only would this create extreme competition but it would cause everyone in our world to be exactly the same. The extreme future of this is shown in the novel A Brave New World. Our world would become so structured and perfect and would also be extremely boring.

The line for genetically engineering children needs to be drawn. This world would be dull and dreary without the diversity or you and I. Screening out the risk of disease is acceptable, to prevent the suffering of young children and loving parents. But parents should want to be parents, to nurture a life, and to do it the best that they possibly can. I do not believe that people should even wish for a perfect looking child.