Opposing Arguments

Introduction

There are many who think that genetic modification of human embryos is ethical. They say that it is worth the risks there may be. Many people think that genetically modified babies would result in a better society. They give an abundance of reasons for why this is a great advancement in science that can be used for good.

This page will explain some of the common arguments given by those who support genetic engineering of embryos. It will also show to the readers why it is unethical to change an embryo's genetic material.

Curing Genetic Diseases

Many argue that germline editing of embryos can get rid of many horrible genetic diseases (Neergaard, 2018, para. 1). This idea in itself is not unethical, but there are severe consequences for any mistakes. It is not known what exactly this gene modification does to an individual. There could be detrimental effects.

Also, many want to modify embryos not to prevent disease, but rather they do so in order to have a “designer baby”. It is not right to put children at risk in hopes that they will be taller, smarter, or more athletic. It simply is not ethical to submit these embryos to the unknown and hope for the best. Not only that, but the manufacturing of particular traits in embryos contributes to the idea of discrimination by advocating that certain physical characteristics are "better" than others. All of these traits are effected by multiple genes (Centers for Genetics and Society, n.d., para. 4). There is not enough evidence that this process will work without complications, and the ethical implications are alarming.

Is it worth the risk?

People who support modification of embryos say that it is worth the risks that come with it. They go as far as to say that it is no more risky than deaf people having children or those over the age of 40 getting pregnant (Curchoe, 2017, para. 17). Some parents do take risks when having children, such as drinking alcohol, eating unhealthy, and not caring for their bodies when pregnant. However, this does not make it right or ethical to do these things.

If a mistake is made in a germline edit modification, parents not only harm their child but also his or her offspring. This is not a decision that parents should make for children in the embryonic stage. It forces them into a “pre-determined biological mold” (Centers for Genetics and Society, n.d., para. 8). These changes in DNA will effect the rest of their lives, as well that of their offspring. It is not worth the risk.

People are not defined by their genes

Some say that people’s complex traits are not defined by their genes (Curchoe, 2018, para. 10). Therefore, changing some of the nucleotides in an embryo is not a huge deal. However, each person’s sequence of DNA determines everything from eye color to texture of hair. Changing one’s genes can change many things about them. Genes do define many aspects of a person. Is it right for parents to change their children’s DNA, to change who they are?

Figure 6

Human DNA is not Special

One of the arguments that people use to support embryonic genetic modification is to say that a person’s DNA is not unique. People share most of their genetics with chimpanzees (98%), and over half with bananas and fruit flies (Curchoe, 2018, para. 8). This implies that humans are genetically only 2% different from chimpanzees, which is not true. Each person is different because they have a unique set of genes that makes them who they are.

Other Consequences/Unknowns

There are so many unknowns concerning the genetic modification of embryos. What happens when two genetically modified individuals have children? How is this going to effect their kids? There is not enough research to know this for certain. Also, is it good for a “normal” individual and a genetically modified individual to have children? How would modified DNA evolve over time? And, perhaps most alarmingly, if legal, what lengths would genetic engineering be taken to in order to achieve a physically desirable baby? How would this contribute to discrimination and society?

There are too many unanswered questions for people to consider the genetic modification of embryos for any reason.

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