Would you genetically engineer your future child?

[Dinner]

Why do people hate General Electric so much?

[Ben Kenobi]

Interesting the deafness argument.

Yes, people have a right to be born deaf and unaltered. It bothers me to see that people who choose not to get their kids fixed would be seen as hurting them by choosing not to get the surgery done. That would be like saying you are hurting your child by not choosing to get laser eye surgery done, or breast implants when they are 18.

Would I opt to get rid of the gene in my family that causes deafness since doing so would get rid of it in my family forever? Yes I would. The real question is would I get the change myself now that I am what I am? I don't know.

I have been very fortunate in my life with some of the people who I have met. I've made some extremely good friends who have overlooked my hearing, and I have adapted to not being able to hear for quite some time now. I honestly don't know what I would decide for myself.

[Dinner]

It bothers you that people who chosen not to give their kids life long disabilities? That others would have decide that their children deserve better lives?! WTF?

This reminds me of the PETA ********* who declare all animal testing to be immoral until it is their lives at stake then they suddenly decide it is ok to take the medicine created through animal testing. Like the VP of PETA who falls into this category.

[Dinner]

Like choosing to not have your kids die of cancer at 25 is similar to getting them breast implants. This is completely nonsensical. Of course sane parents would opt to save their children from the pain and suffering of an early death. What the hell type of parent are you?

[Perfection]

Originally posted by General Ludd
Just as something better will come after our civilization collapses apon itself.

Here's to the new dark age.

Rome might of went away, but the Romans never did.

[Mrs. Tuberski]

I seem to think that we are all fogetting one thing. Gene altering may correct one problem u are aware of, but it can also cause new problems ur not aware of. I dunno maybe im of the old school i dont wish my family to sufer genetic defects but i for one would not fall for easy gimicks that promise to fix them

[Perfection]

Originally posted by Mrs. Tuberski
I seem to think that we are all fogetting one thing. Gene altering may correct one problem u are aware of, but it can also cause new problems ur not aware of. I dunno maybe im of the old school i dont wish my family to sufer genetic defects but i for one would not fall for easy gimicks that promise to fix them

If there was a disease that would wipe out everyone but those with the nasty diseases that would be the first thing genetic engineering would work out we'd all be screwed anyways.

[SlowwHand]

Genetic engineering isn't the same as averting depilitating scenarios.

[Perfection]

In the long term it isn't, in the medium term it is. We're not going to start out doing polygenic phenotype alteration and by the time we do get to it, we'll have a much better idea of the issues involvd to make more informed case-by-case decisions.

[SlowwHand]

Just go ahead and make tham all blond and blue-eyed?

[Perfection]

slightly altering gene ratios of minor cosmetic features is not going to cause any significant harm.

[Mrs. Tuberski]

How the heck can one even suggest it would only be slightly altering? It either is or it isnt. This is like saying i can alter my kid who is gonna be born blind to only have to wear glasses all its life, it makes no difference, they are still blind one way or the other.

[Ben Kenobi]

It bothers you that people who chosen not to give their kids life long disabilities? That others would have decide that their children deserve better lives?! WTF?

Well I have to thank you for making me rethink my position. You are right. We should improve our children by getting rid of their flaws. The problem is in the perception that life with a disability is worthless. Thanks for snapping me back to my senses.

This reminds me of the PETA ********* who declare all animal testing to be immoral until it is their lives at stake then they suddenly decide it is ok to take the medicine created through animal testing. Like the VP of PETA who falls into this category.

Well I have to agree then that we shouldn't have any of this genetic alteration since the risks are too great.

[Perfection]

Originally posted by Mrs. Tuberski
How the heck can one even suggest it would only be slightly altering? It either is or it isnt. This is like saying i can alter my kid who is gonna be born blind to only have to wear glasses all its life, it makes no difference, they are still blind one way or the other.

I was refering to a single genetic change to choose a cosmetic feature from one that's common in humans to another one thats common in human which really washes out in the whole disease thing.

[SlowwHand]

That was a pat followed by a backhand, now wasn't it?