When someone talks about GMOs, the first thing that comes to mind are enhanced fruits and vegetables. But it is interesting to note that the term does not only include our food. Fish, dogs, and even humans can be genetically modified organisms as well through modified genes altered in the embryo stage. Although legal and ethical concerns were presented, experiments are already performed on lab mice and is possible in the near future.
Some of the benefits include saving a child’s life, either from receiving a horrible genetic trait or through savior siblings. One famous example of a savior sibling is Adam Nash for his older sister Molly. Once Adam was born, the umbilical cord and the fluid was used to give Molly a successful bone marrow transplant. To the Nash’s, having two healthy children was a miracle.
To others, however, it’s a crime against God. GMO babies could lead to a world where parents to pick and choose specific appearances for their baby. Some claim these ‘designer babies’ could lead to massive child neglect against another. It is already happening as well, with parents able to choose the gender of their child. Some solutions have been provided to these problems. For example, families must have a good and proper reason to request certain traits, and need to pass some kind of health board specifically for these kinds of concerns. Despite this, only time will tell if GMO children will ever be allowed.