There have been many scientific advances in the genetic field recently. One of them is the disernment of genes. We now know what certain genes do, affect, and what traits they produce. It is said that in the future we will have the technology and knowledge to manipulate the genes before conception in order to choose how the child will act, look, and what they will be able to accomplish. How ethical is that? People argue that it will better man kind. But my question to them is, how is taking away mankinds individuality and purpose a means to better it? If you choose what a child will grow up to be able to do you are ultimatly choosing their destiny. This will take away any purpose in their lives, solely due to the fact that if by chance they fail or die another can be created to do the same task. What kind of a world would we live in if that was the case. People need a to feel needed. If a person can be created to do a certain thing supper well and another can be created to take the firsts place, then how is the first needed. This will take away any incentive to live.
Another major issue is that by creating a child to do a certain task and accomplish a certain goal, you are taking away the need for independence. That person will grow up having things handed to them and not needing to work hard to accomplish anything. They world would be full of geniouses and prodigies. Where is the fun, the accomplishment, the purpose?! There is non.
In creating a life that is made to fit certain standards you are ultimately accomplishing what Hitler wanted. You will create the perfect race. People will be made to look similar. They will all end up being athletic, musical, academically accomplished. This is precisely what Hitler wanted. The theory runs that the chances for diseases and mental retardation are on certain genes. By eliminating these chances you accomplish Hitlers goal for purity. If this is where the world was headed why did we bother stopping him? We fought to save lives, and in doing that we protected individuality and the need for hard work. If we just allow people to create humans in a perfect mannor how is it any different. Go ahead, argue that you would be creating life rather than murduring mass amounts of people. But It's accomplishing the same goal.
My Psych teacher asked if it is right or humane for us to not use the technology and knowledge that we have; would God have given us these capabilities if we were not to use them?
Think for a moment, we have the know how, technology and capabilities to destroy the human race. Is that humane or right? No! God specifically said "thou shall not murder." Yes we can do it, but we are not supposed to. I suggest that in the same way we are not to create human life even though we have the capabilities. Having to figure out how to do things ourselves and how to deal with the way we are is part of what makes us who we are. If we allow genes to determine this, what kind of creature are we?
This might sound drastic, but my question to you is would you rather live in the type of world created by man that Hitler wanted? Or do you want the individuality? The feeling of knowing you worked hard to get where you are? What do you want for your kids?
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If I had the choice to make a child I want, I think I would.
First, genetic manipulation will soon make it so that there would not be any children born disabled or sick. This is a good thing. Humans want to have healthy kids, otherwise, they wouldn't spend billions each year on treatments that help sick and disabled children live as "normal" a life as possible. Instead of fixing major problems when the child is born, why not fix these even before conception?
Second, studies have shown that parents are more bonded to children that most look like them. Beautiful, straight-proportioned kids are treated better than average looking children since birth. Good-looking kids grow up to have happier lives with a better average IQ. If you are going to love your child more as well as make his life happier, I say make it so.
And lastly, this has nothing to do with Hitler. Hitler wanted one superior race of Aryans. Genetic manipulation works the same way for all races. With future advances, you probably could blend traits of several different races to get the combination of child you want.
I can understand what you mean with Hitler. It was more of a drastic way for me to impress upon people the fact that making people perfect is similar to what he was trying to do. I didn't mean it was completly the same.
I can see what you mean when you say that pretty people get better attention and more love, and getting rid of disease and dissabilities would be great. However, these are all things that build character. Pretty people have things handed to them and thus some of them can not take care of themselves or accomplish much on their own. They are used to having everything done for them. This is not a good thing.
Your idea that you would then love the child more(by you I mean people in general, not necessarily you unless you would do that) seems rather shallow. If you have a child you need to develope a sort of unconditional love. Your love should not depend on how much your child looks like you or how pretty they are. That's not what love should be. You should love your child the way they are no matter how they are. I wouldn't feel very loved if I found out that my parents love me so much because I'm handsome. I like the fact my parents love me so much because of who I am.
Disease and dissability builds character and helps you become who you are. I have two brothers, both have some form of mental handicap, and I can tell you with confidence that my family would not be the same if they weren't. It helped me grow into who I am and it has affected every person that they come in contact with, in one way or another.
Basically what I'm trying to say is that I dissagree. Dissabilities and disease are part of what helps us grow into the men and women we are to become in the future. It helps build character, understanding, and maturity. I believe they are needed.
-TiminatorO