Designer Babies

If everyone could choose what their baby would look like, would the world end up having a majority population of blonde-haired, blue-eyed people? Everyone could be tall, fair and very intelligent. But is this a valid goal? Should we be allowed to create the "perfect" baby? 

Recently, a procedure allowing just this has been brought forth.  Designer babies are babies whose genetic makeup has been preselected through in vitro fertilization and genetic engineering. Parents have access to new genetic testing methods which allow them to accurately predetermine their baby's gender, as well as any birth defects or disorders. With the new technique of PGD, (Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis) it is possible to discover any harmful or fatal diseases that an embryo may be carrying. Through PGD and DNA analysis, embryos with genetic defects such as Down's Syndrome or hemophilia can be detected. Embryos without these genes can then be selected and the others will be discarded.

I agree with the use of PGD for older parents and people with a history of inheritable diseases, where a process like this could be extremely beneficial for both the parents and the child. However, I completely disagree with parents who are using this procedure for purely cosmetic reasons. If someone wants to have a child, they should be willing to accept them and love them no matter what they look like.

 While it may be tempting to be able to spare a child from the horrors of disease, we must think of how this course of action might affect society. Could genetic enhancement lead to a biased and prejudicial society? There is also the possibility of a gender imbalance to consider. Since countries like India and China value boys more than girls, wouldn't a process like genetic engineering worsen this issue?


Overall, I do not think that people should be able to decide how their baby turns out. I believe that we should allow nature to take its course and accept the child no matter what they are like.

Sources:


http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,989987,00.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/genetics/article6978400.ece
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/03/earlyshow/health/main4840346.shtml

My comments on other blogs can be found here:


http://jessy3149.blogspot.com/2010/11/i-asked-for-blue-eyed-baby.html?showComment=1291411230704#c3176441126472783667




http://biologyislyfe.blogspot.com/2010/11/bio-engineered-kids.html?showComment=1291412419466#c6320318391060227074

World Wide Fund for Nature

WWF is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) that is involved with protecting the environment. It has offices all over the world, including Canada. The organization was created in 1961 as a charitable trust in Switzerland. It later spread all over the world.

Mission: "Stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature." It plans to do this by:

•  conserving the world's biological diversity
• ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable
• promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

In the early 2000's, WWF scientists undertook a worldwide biodiversity study that was the first of its kind. They thoroughly analyzed 238 ecoregions. They looked at the risks that these regions were facing including toxic chemicals, pollution and endangered species. Subsequent to this major study, conservation measures were proposed to preserve forest, freshwater and marine habitats.

Major WWF Achievements

1. Cuba

Jardines de la Reina

In 1999, WWF was instrumental in getting Fidel Castro to sign the Ramsas global wetlands treaty. This identified Jardines de la Reina as a national park. This resulted in preserving this beautiful region of Cuba, rich in biodiversity and natural beauty. Furthermore, it identified the marine turtle as an endangered species hence banning its harvesting.

2. Canada

Nunavut

Niginganiq is a large area in Nunavut that WWF has identified as a National Wildlife Area. In doing so, endangered species such as the bowhead whale and the polar bear are protected.

Largest Land Withdrawal for Protection Ever in Canada

WWF helped the local First Nations people to pressure the government of Canada to identify the Mackenzie River Basin in the North West Territories as a protected area. This prevents industrialization and deforestation of the area.

Protection for Seabirds

WWF efforts and lobbying led to the government's passing Bill C-15. This prevents ship owners from dumping oil and other toxic chemicals in our lakes. This results in saving thousands of seabirds yearly.

Banning the Hunting of Wolves

WWF was able to persuade the Ontario government to pass a bill permanently banning the hunting of wolves Algonquin Park.

My Opinion

I think that all of WWF's achievements are amazing. By accomplishing all of these projects, they have saved countless animals and plants from destruction or extinction. The efforts of WWF are definitely an example of a positive human influence on the environment. Hopefully, these tasks will raise awareness and encourage more people to be careful of their effect on the environment. 

References

• "Conservation Successes." WWF.ca. World Wide Fund for Nature. Web. 28 Sept. 2010. 
• ec.gc.ca.  Environment Canada. Web. 28 Sept. 2010.
• greenpeace.org. Greenpeace International. Web. 28 Sept. 2010.
• iucn.org. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Web. 28 Sept. 2010.
• cbc.ca/news. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Web. 28 Sept. 2010.

Blogs I Commented On

http://jessy3149.blogspot.com/2010/09/david-suzuki-foundation_26.html#comments

http://michelleflynnbioblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/international-barcode-of-life-and-its.html#comments