Designer Babies GATTACA

By: Sara Jehangir

Designer BAGS BABIES

Will Designer Babies Be The New Normal

                                                                              (Image: The Mirror)

Why limit our options just to designer clothes and accessories when designer babies is a possibility. However, is it that simple? We don’t think so. There’s a lot that has been said about the topic at hand. In this blog we will try to give you proper insight into this. 

Genetically Modified Babies 

Designer is a word we often hear when we refer to luxury items like clothes, bags, cars, etc. but nowadays' designer babies' are the trending topic. Though, trending often means controversial as well. This is a highly debated topic with critiques coming in from different sources after much studying and research. A designer baby is one that has his/her genes altered to the preference to include or remove any kind of features or disease such as changing the baby’s eye colour or their possibility of being tall or short or the colour of their skin too. Not just that, specific abilities can also be selected. Genes for athletic ability and musical talent have already been identified by the scientist.

 
                                              (Image:Build A Baby)



THE FUTURE 
CRISPR-Cas9 


Cas9 is an immune-boosting enzyme, which is naturally present in some bacteria. It fights infection by employing short sequences of guide RNA that are complementary to any possible foreign DNA. RNA interference, which is seen in many eukaryotes, is similar to this process. Cas9 has also been employed in trials as a genome editing tool as a result of its abilities.Clustered Regularly-Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats(CRISPR).It is a groundbreaking technique that allows geneticists and medical experts to edit portions of the genome by deleting, inserting, or changing the DNA sequences. It is known as one of the most efficient, less time consuming and cost effective methods for gene editing. It is now widely employed in scientific research, and several of the animals and plants in our fields, parks, and homes may have been transformed with it. CRISPR technology has the potential to revolutionise medicine, allowing us to treat as well as prevent numerous diseases. We may even opt to utilise it to alter our children's genes. 
                                                (Image: How CRISPR works: MRS Bulletin)    



The Designer Twins 
   Lulu and Nana 

A lot of research has been put into Designer Babies and CRISPR, the idea was prevalent in 1997 as well which led to the creation of the movie GATTACA. However, it was never applied until 2018, when a scientist, ‘HE Jiankui’, genetically modified a real human embryo out of which two babies were born Lulu and Nana. It was done for the twins to be HIV- resistant and improved cognitive functions.As it was deemed an unethical and immoral act by his country China, he was jailed for 3 years along with his colleagues.The procedure was banned as well. Whereas some people believed that it can be really beneficial for the coming generations.The technology could one day prevent parents from passing on heritable diseases to children, but the committee says much more research is needed (BBC,2021).
(Image: The Science Times)

  GATTACA 

This controversial movie was set in a society where genetic modification of babies was common and it seemed like the right thing to do if you wanted your child to succeed in the standing society. That is the only way the child was considered ‘valid’ otherwise they would be one of the ‘invalids’ and be given menial jobs that would limit one's potential. There is a lot of debate on whether this is ethical or moral to do so. Morality is very subjective.“Something being natural does not make it moral; being unnatural doesn’t make it immoral”(Johnson, 2021). Question is whether choosing to not alter the genes of your child would be justified to the child? Would he resent you in the future? As seen in Gattaca there was a clear difference between the living standards of valid and invalids. They have portrayed the bitter truth of the society and it has somehow started to make sense. People with better skills, less health issues will be considered more suitable for the more professional jobs such as going to space as their IQ is higher to that of an invalid.
                                                                  
                                                                           (Image:Pinterest) 

However "There is no gene for the human spirit". There are people out there like Vincent, who outdo themselves and achieve their goals. But what will be the ratio of such people? Very less. 

Where will it all end? It is important to find a balance. Use technology where it is required. Using it for eliminating diseases, for better health purposes can still be justified.Altering the DNA of the child according to your preferences can also be unfair. As the quest to be the best as you have the “gene” remains there. Unable to do so can lead to In Gattaca Jerome, a “valid” genetically designed to be the “best” swimmer, unable to do so, tries to attempt suicide. This is what was shown in the movie but reality can be far worse or even better. People might be living a long healthy life because of Gene editing. With science we can never be too certain, as with time science progresses and many new discoveries unfold. Until then let’s think how we will design our baby if we get a chance to do so. 

  References 

(2016, January 20). 2. 'designer babies' and the culture of 'perfection'. EUGENICS. Retrieved November 22, 2021, from https://eugenicspastpresentandfuture.wordpress.com/2014/11/19/2-designer-babies-and-the-culture-of-perfection-eugenics-reborn/. 

Altura, L. (2019, March 16). Chinese twins had their genes modified to improve cognitive functions and be HIV-resistant. Science Times. Retrieved November 22, 2021, from https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/18275/20190223/chinese-twins-genetically-modified-twins-crispr-brain-hiv.htm. BBC. (2020, September 3). 

Gene-edited babies: Current techniques not safe, say experts. BBC News. Retrieved November 22, 2021, from https://www.bbc.com/news/health-54014969. CRISPR. 

CRISPR BASICS. Genetic Resources Core Facility, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine. (n.d.). Retrieved November 22, 2021.

New Scientist. (n.d.). Retrieved November 22, 2021, from https://www.newscientist.com/definition/what-iscrispr/#:~:text=CRISPR%20is%20a%20technology%20that,of%20DNA%20inside%20a%20cell.&text=However%2C%20CRISPR%20has%20also%20been,off%20without%20altering%20their%20sequence. Jhonson , D. K. (2021, September 15). 

"gattaca" and the ethics of genetic selection. The Great Courses Daily. Retrieved November 22, 2021, from https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/gattaca-and-the-ethics-of-genetic-selection/. 

Marks , L. (2020). CRISPR enables gene editing on an unprecedented scale. WhatisBiotechnology.org. Retrieved November 22, 2021, from https://www.whatisbiotechnology.org/index.php/science/summary/crispr The Public Engagement team at the Wellcome Genome Campus. (2021, October 25). 

What is CRISPR-Cas9? Facts. Retrieved November 22, 2021, from https://www.yourgenome.org/facts/what-is-crispr-cas9.

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