Embryo Screening to Create Babies with Disabilities

The issue of using embryo screening to create the "perfect" baby has been going on for some time. However, what if the parents' definition of "perfect" stretches beyond what most people would consider normal?

What if parents that are dwarfs or deaf, or have any other genetic defect, want their babies to be just like them? A survey has already shown that some US clinics are already offering this form of embryo screening.

The question now is whether creating babies with genetic defects is unethical or not. But then again, what might be unethical to one individual may not be unethical to another, and so a debate on what is "normal" has been sparked by this survey.

What happens in embryo screening, also known as preimplantation genetic diagnosis, is that sperm and eggs are mixed together and implanted into the womb. But before implantation the embryo is removed and examined to check for any genetic defects. This procedure is very costly and shows a less than 50 percent success rate per try.

If parents are allowed to create children with genetic defects where should the line be drawn? Or should it be left up to the parent to decide what will be best for their child? If so, then who is to determine whether the parents' decisions are really for the benefit of the child?

Also, who knows how the child will react when he/she gets older. Would a child not be angry at their parents if they found out the reason he/she is deaf is because the parents wanted him/her to be just like them? Most children do not even pursue the same career as their parents, so I doubt that they would want the same defects either.

It seems as though people are not truly realizing the devastating effects these decisions will have on these children when they grow up. It does not matter what your definition of "normal" may be, it is not moral to force a child to be a dwarf, deaf, male, female, etc.

People and doctors are too interested in playing God to actually realize the true effects this procedure could have. When used to actually benefit the child, such as to reduce the chance of a miscarriage, then I am all for it, but otherwise it is unethical and should never be allowed.