Designer Children

Designer children have altered or selected genes to meet certain specifications such as gender, lowered disease-risk, and superior traits. Parents who opt to have designer babies go through invitro fertilization and then have their embryos screened through pre-implantation genetic testing. The embryos may also be edited by introducing specific genetic information. “Lulu and Nana” are famous designer Chinese twin children who were born in November 2018. They were genetically modified to be resistant to HIV. However, this has been very controversial and the project leader, He Jiankui, was condemned by a number of medical authorities. This kind of process has faced ethical issues; for instance, pro-life advocates assert that life begins upon fertilization and embryos should be protected. Also, this technology may be abused for mere cosmetic ideals.