|
Dear Senator Durbin,
2003, just three years ago, was when the Human Genome Project
was completed. Initiated in 1990, it was an ambitious undertaking,
represented by scientists around the world to identify all 25,000 genes,
approximately, in the human DNA. The project has left us with the legal,
ethical, and moral issues of what to do with this data that is now being
organized in a comprehensive way for easy access by virtually anyone with
the means. We now have the technology to make trait selection and genetic
engineering of our children possible. The idea of designer babies, ones
where parents can “customize” their children, is not exaggerated, but a
probable reality of the near future. Based on my research, morals, and
medical findings, I believe that designing babies should not be allowed.
Some people are supporting the idea of designing children. They
believe that we will be able to get rid of genetic disorders, such as Down
Syndrome or Tay-Sachs disease. Although this may be true to some extent,
millions of mistakes will be made before scientists can get it right.
These errors will result in malformed babies, miscarriages, or even death
of the child and/or mother. In September 1999, Jesse Gelsinger died during
an experiment at the University of Pennsylvania. She, only a teenager, was
being treated for her metabolic disorder. Additionally, while fixing one
gene, other genes could be negatively affected and harmed, causing a
possible ripple effect of genetic problems. Other people fight that making
children more intelligent or athletic would make them happier. Again, it
may be possible to make children smarter, but there are many intelligent
kids who are depressed and many mentally delayed kids who are extremely
happy.
Creating designer babies would split society more than it is
today. The upper-class parents would be able to afford the costly
procedure, while the lower-class would not. This would further separate
the classes as superior and inferior beings. Harry Yeide, a professor of
religion at George Washington University, states, “There is already a
natural impulse to segregate ourselves. This [trait selection and genetic
engineering] will accelerate that in a very dangerous direction.” In the
even later future, after many generations have been exposed to genetic
alteration, it is possible that the human race could be split into two
different species. Though the species would be similar, it is also
possible that they would not be able to interbreed, similar to apes and
humans today. We can’t let our future generations continually mutate past
what it means to be human.
Along with our “natural impulse to segregate ourselves,” it is
also in human nature to strive for perfection. However, if “perfection”
becomes so easily available, it would be hard to control our human urges.
“Once we start genetically reengineering human beings, where would we
stop? We should have the maturity and wisdom to ban the modification of
the genes we pass to our children,” says Rich Hayes, a
Public
Media Center coordinator. What if we crossed the line so far that we
couldn’t turn back? True, we would start genetic modifications to
innocently cure diseases that affect our youth, but it would continue to
grow to the point that parents could choose everything about their child,
from eye color, to how their mind and thought processes will work. The
children wouldn’t be free because their entire life, and everything that
makes them up, would be controlled from the start.
If we put our genetic
potential in the hands of an elite few, by making genetic manipulation in
humans unlimitedly available, legal, and ethical issues will become an
even more terrifying reality in the near future. Societal concerns will
be exacerbated if we allow our offspring to be designer babies. Senator
Durbin, you have the power to make legislation again this issue. You have
the authority to educate the public, so if it comes down to a vote, they
will be able to make informed decisions. I am asking you, Mr. Durbin, to
help me, your family, future generations, and yourself by not supporting
the make of designer babies. Our children, and society, will thank you.
Regards. |
