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Gene therapy for blue eyes?
Posted by avecchioni • 4/14/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: ethical science, ethics, eye color, gene therapy, genetics, science
HYPOTHETICAL:
As genetic research brings us closer to medical cures, what is your opinion of non-medical applications?
In other words, is it acceptable to choose your baby’s eye color or general height? Is it acceptable to enhance intelligence?
Should parents be allowed to decide for themselves, or should there be laws to prevent non-medical uses of gene therapy?
User Comments
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Blue eyed people are strange!-
Thank you!
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I have blue eyes
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So are we partners in strangeness?! If we can get one more person, we could be a committee.
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You got it... a committee. I'm blue eyed too! -
Woo-hoo!!!!!!!!!!!
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This sounds suspiciously like the movie "Gattaca"
Jude Law is hot.
Jude Law should play Jesus.-
Great movie that did an excellent job broaching the topic. Our son had to watch it for a homework assignment a few years ago. If I recall, it was abnormal NOT to be genetically enhanced.
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Blue eyes have been scientifically proven to be passed on by the evil gene, both Hitler AND Margaret Thatcher had "devil eyes"-
I thought the evil gene was only passed on through twins? Specifically, the left twin is always the evil one.
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The real test of evilness is how the eyes look in a flash photo.
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It can be passed through the "sinister" twin but then we all know the left Twin always has at least one blue eye and a slightly genocidal nature.
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Back to the discussion - I think gene therapy should only be used to fix problems.
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There was a case I read about a few years ago where a doctor in the U.S. prescribed hormone therapy to treat a pre-adolescent for shortness, which is not a medical condition. It was considered ethically questionable, but did not violate any laws. I think gene therapy is going to press the issue.
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I agree, but not really for logical reasons. I'm trapped on the slippery slope question - could you imagine being the only non-modified kid in your 2nd grade class? Will it become trendy to have more and more outrageous/noticable genetic modifications done, and will having parents who could afford such mods be a measure that keeps "natural" people out of certain jobs (or could that argument be made)? Maybe I've watched and read too much speculative fiction, but I imagine an underclass of the poor who become immediately identifiable because they aren't skinny (from their genetically-high metabolism rather than malnutrition) with anime-sized blue eyes, blonde hair, Angelina Jolie's lips, and a D-cup or chiselled, buff, and generally formulated to be that decade's ideal. Then again, I think most plastic surgery goes too far, but I'm uncomfortable with the idea of modifying my body via a procdure during which I could die, unless it's to address a problem that could also kill me. -
Great points. I agree with you--the system will end up two tiered. The pressure to conform--if you can even afford it--will be overwhelming. So the question is whether use of genetic modification for non-medical procedures should be made illegal, or whether the choice should be left up to individuals?
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I think it would be a socially craptacular idea, but that doesn't necessarily equate to something that should be outlawed. I don't know why you'd want a blue-eyed kid anyway, if they didn't come that way naturally. Now purple or plaid I could see...
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I guess the alternative to outlawing it is to let everyone go positively bozo designing their kids. Why not? It'll be like picking out furniture, only more fun.
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Could you imagine the mishaps and the fly-by-night "docs" out for a quick buck? [shudder] I fear for my great-grandchildren's children.
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I really fear what some parents might want. We may not all agree that the end result is aesthically pleasing Some already are giving their kids strange/inappropriate names which shows impaired judgement.
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Did you see this science fiction film Gattaca ?
www.flixya.com/video/1962406/Gattaca_-_Film
Today it's not normal, tomorrow yes, because if you don't do it, you will be UNFIT.-
Yes, it was referenced above. Great film that brings many concerns to the light of day.
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Type Transhumanism in Google: that's the new name Eugenism now hides behind since a Congress in 1955:
"The very word eugenics is in disrepute in some quarters ... We must ask ourselves, what have we done wrong?
I think we have failed to take into account a trait which is almost universal and is very deep in human nature. People simply are not willing to accept the idea that the genetic base on which their character was formed is inferior and should not be repeated in the next generation. We have asked whole groups of people to accept this idea and we have asked individuals to accept it. They have constantly refused and we have all but killed the eugenic movement ... they won't accept the idea that they are in general second rate. We must rely on other motivation. ... it is surely possible to build a system of voluntary unconscious selection. But the reasons advanced must be generally acceptable reasons. Let's stop telling anyone that they have a generally inferior genetic quality, for they will never agree. Let's base our proposals on the desirability of having children born in homes where they will get affectionate and responsible care, and perhaps our proposals will be accepted."
— From "Galton and Mid Century Eugenics" by Frederick Osborn, Galton Lecture 1956, in Eugenics Review, vol. 48, 1, 1956
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Once it becomes safe and cheap it will be as natural as wearing sunglasses maybe there will be even mutants who would be able to change their eyes color at will
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Yes, I'm afraid we'll start with the best intentions, but as the corporate end of the medical community seeks to please stock holders, pressure will be exerted on legislatures to loosen restrictions. Ad campaigns will tout the desirability designer gene therapy. One argument might be--it's taking place in other nations, why should we let them profit? People want it here!
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I say if it ain't broke... don't fix it!
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