Designer babies are babies whose genetic DNA has been selected or modified to make sure the child has specific intellectual or physical characteristics. Doctors are able to alter a baby's genes by preimpantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). The doctor is able to tell what physical characteristics a child will have; as well as whether or not the child is predestined to any genetic diseases.
Parents can choose from a wide variety of characteristics such as:
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gender
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height
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hair color
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eye color
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learning ability
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athletic ability
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IQ
Designer Babies
What are 'designer babies'?
DNA - molecule that encodes the genetic instructions used in all known living organisms
genetics - the process of trait inheritance from parents to offspring
genes - portions of DNA that act as instructions to make proteins
embryo - a multicellular diploid eukaryote in its early stages of development within the womb
chromosome - threadlike bodies that enconde all or most of one's genetic information
basics
When
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2000 - the first designer baby - Adam Nash - was born
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2009 - selection for the sex of a child was available
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2012 - testing of genes involved in conditions available
Where
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Adan Nash was born in Englewood, Colorado
Why
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for parent(s) with a hereditary disease to have children without passing down the disease
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to use the baby's umbilical cord blood for a transplant of another sick family member
