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Becky Jones Ms. Roberts English II, 3A 28 April 2012 Genetic manipulation technology had its breakthrough when the first human genome sequence was mapped, and is growing as more information is being discovered. With the knowledge supplied from the Human Genome Project geneticists have been able to isolate genes that affect physical and physiological traits, and are constantly isolating new genes to determine their function. This knowledge led to Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD), which was originally used to test embryos for genetic disease or gender. Companies use techniques that allow doctors to reduce the chance that a child will be born with a genetic disorder. Currently, it is only legal to use these advanced reproductive technologies to determine the gender or to test the embryo for genetic disease. However, it is possible that in the future we may be able to replace faulty sections of DNA with a healthy section of DNA. This process is called gene line therapy and has been successfully done to animal embryos, but is currently illegal to do this to humans due to unwanted effects that are caused in altering the genes. The risks of unpredicted diseases, brain damage, or personality changes are some of the reason[s] why gene line therapy is currently illegal in many countries (Bionet ) . Gene line therapy was used to design the first genetically modified monkey; Andi (representing Inserted DNA backwards) was born in April 2011. Scientists inserted green fluorescent protein from jellyfish into an unfertilized egg, and fertilized that egg, causing Andi to

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be born with the ability to glow green in ultra violet light. This showed for the first time that is possible to change the genetic make-up by inserting a gene into an egg (Bionet). Leading company, The Fertility Institutes, is now stunning couples with the ability to screen for eye color, hair color and skin complexion. Director of The Fertility Institutes, Dr. Steinberg, claims that they perform an average of 10 gender selection fertilizations a week, each at a fee of $18,000. He says that In Vitro Fertilizations were originally designed to help parents unable to conceive naturally, but now 70% of their clients come to the institute for the ability to choose the gender of their baby. The Fertility Institutes goal is to offer more customizations as the science behind screening for them is developed. The Institute offers many services, some as low as $4,000 with others ranging up to $79,000. However, designer babies also cause some ethical concerns. Will the ability to customize our children lead parents to replace unconditional love with the desire of perfection? Will these gene manipulations diminish our freedom by making us creatures [designed] for our parents whims (Green)? Will reproductive genetics lead to buying more competitive abilities for our offspring, resulting in widened social brackets? Will we unknowingly be creating genetic overlords to rule over the genetic underclass? While we will be gaining improvements such as reduced chance of disease, an increased life span, better functioning, and even cosmetic enhancements, we have to also make sure we dont unleash an oppressive state of living.

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Works Cited "Germ-cell Gene Therapy in Monkeys?" Bionet. Bionet. Web. 24 Apr. 2012. <http://bionetonline.org/english/content/db_cont4.htm>.
Green, Ronald M. "Building Baby From the Genes Up." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2008. Web. 25 Apr. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2008/04/11/AR2008041103330.html>. Kleiner, Keith. "Designer Babies - Like It Or Not, Here They Come." Designer Babies -Like It Or Not, Here They Come. Singularity Hug, 25 Feb. 2009. Web. 24 Apr. 2012. <http://singularityhub.com/2009/02/25/designer-babies-like-it-or-not-here-they-come/>.