designer babies
Engineered offspring concept
Designer babies are children whose genetic characteristics have been deliberately selected or modified before birth, typically through technologies like preimplantation genetic testing or gene editing.
The term carries connotations of commodification and ethical concern, evoking images of parents choosing traits like eye color or intelligence as if ordering a custom product.
The debate over designer babies intensified after the first gene-edited humans were born.
While some applications aim to eliminate hereditary diseases, critics worry about eugenics and widening social inequality.
Gene-editing molecular machinery
- gene editingTargeted DNA alteration
- genetic engineeringDeliberate DNA modification
- IVFLaboratory-aided conception method
- genome sequencingReading complete DNA sequence
biotechnology · gene therapy · genetic modification · genomics · synthetic biology · bioinformatics
Moral philosophy for medicine
- moralityRight and wrong principles
- consentVoluntary agreement given
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- dilemmaForced choice between undesirables
exploitation · discrimination · justice · fairness · beneficence · rights · responsibility · playing God
Unequal distribution of resources
- accessibilityEase of approach
- class divideGap between economic strata
- wealth gapEconomic inequality measure
- social stratificationSociety's hierarchical layering
privilege · elitism · social impact · affordability · public debate · backlash · controversy · slippery slope
Controlled reproduction for traits
- genetic selectionChoosing organisms by traits
- heritabilityGenetic share of variation
- fitnessGood physical shape
- DarwinianOf natural selection theory
racial purity · sterilization · master race · Nazi · dystopia · Gattaca · social Darwinism · unfit
Measures blocking illness onset
- genetic disordersConditions caused by mutations
- hereditary conditionsIllnesses passed through families
- screeningEvaluative selection process
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
cystic fibrosis · sickle cell · Huntington's · Tay-Sachs · Down syndrome · prenatal testing · therapeutic · preventive medicine
Mental ability, cognitive capacity
- heightVertical extent upward
- eye colorPigmentation of iris
- beautyAesthetic excellence
- athleticismPhysical skill and agility
optimization · customization · superiority · perfection · augmentation · talent · cognitive enhancement · physical traits
CRISPR
Gene-editing molecular machinery
- gene editingTargeted DNA alteration
- genetic engineeringDeliberate DNA modification
- IVFLaboratory-aided conception method
genome sequencing · biotechnology · gene therapy · genetic modification · genomics · synthetic biology · bioinformatics
bioethics
Moral philosophy for medicine
- moralityRight and wrong principles
- consentVoluntary agreement given
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
dilemma · exploitation · discrimination · justice · fairness · beneficence · rights · responsibility · playing God · commodification
inequality
Unequal distribution of resources
- accessibilityEase of approach
- class divideGap between economic strata
- wealth gapEconomic inequality measure
social stratification · privilege · elitism · social impact · affordability · public debate · backlash · controversy · slippery slope · futurism
selective breeding
Controlled reproduction for traits
- genetic selectionChoosing organisms by traits
- heritabilityGenetic share of variation
- fitnessGood physical shape
Darwinian · racial purity · sterilization · master race · Nazi · dystopia · Gattaca · social Darwinism · unfit · genocide
disease prevention
Measures blocking illness onset
- genetic disordersConditions caused by mutations
- hereditary conditionsIllnesses passed through families
- screeningEvaluative selection process
mutation · cystic fibrosis · sickle cell · Huntington's · Tay-Sachs · Down syndrome · prenatal testing · therapeutic · preventive medicine · genetic counseling
intelligence
Mental ability, cognitive capacity
athleticism · optimization · customization · superiority · perfection · augmentation · talent · cognitive enhancement · physical traits · elite
- bioethicsbioethics, medical ethics, genetic engineering, beneficence, non-maleficence
- BiotechDNA, bioengineering, genetic testing, gene, DNA sequencing
- Futurismjetpacks, holograms, robots, androids, cyborgs
- bioregulationFDA approval, drug approval, biosafety, bioethics, human subjects
- biology topicsanimals, plants, insects, dinosaurs, fish
- hereditygenes, DNA, gene, chromosomes, genetics
designer babiesletting nature take its course
Permitting events to unfold naturally
designer, designing, babies, babyish, designed, redesign, babysitter, babysit, babying