The internet is all a buzz today about the Supreme Courts decision to uphold "Obamacare" which will require an additional tax for any citizens who to decide to opt-out of the program. While this controversial new tax is something every person should be concerned and educated about, there are other workings, within the healthcare system, that have been flying under the radar.
Yesterday I was stopped in my tracks when I came across the headline on my favorite gossip website (aka my guilty pleasure) Perez Hilton: World's First Genetically Modified Babies Born Eva!
Upon first glance I thought this was some kind of joke. I mean a site that reports daily on what Justin Bieber is doing, or what the Kardashians are wearing would have to be misinformed about the latest scientific breakthroughs, right?
Sadly I was mistaken.
According to an article in the Daily Mail, it was revealed 2 days ago that the world's first genetically modified human had "successfully" been created. After a series of experiments on women who were not able to conceive, 30 "healthy" children have been born in the U.S. with the genetic make-up from 3 parents; one father and two mothers.
Fifteen of these children were born within the last three years from a program conducted at the Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Science of St Barnabas in New Jersey. After doing genetic testing on two children it was found that they carried the genetic markers from all three "parents" which could now be passed onto their future offspring.
The couples who participated in these experiments were unable to conceive a child the traditional way and opted for entering this highly controversial solution. But they are not first. "Writing in the journal Human Reproduction, the researchers, led by fertility pioneer Professor Jacques Cohen, say that this 'is the first case of human germline genetic modification resulting in normal healthy children'."
Which means there have been other cases, in the past, where children were NOT healthy, and or did not survive.
Is anyone else fucking disturbed by this?
I'm sorry, this whole things seems highly unethical and selfish. I know this might piss some people off but I think it so irresponsible and wrong for couples to mess with mother nature to have a child. I know hundreds of thousands of couples successfully spend a small fortune to conceive through IVF, but in my opinion engaging in such medicine it not worth the unforeseen risks.
There has already been evidence that has linked IVF to breast cancer in women. We are messing with the natural order of things which is having dangerous or even deadly ramifications. And now we are doing it to our children.
I can't imagine the heartbreak of two loving people not being able to create their own children. But, there are SO many other options out there for them to have a family besides tinkering in a lab with DNA.
There are millions of children out there, already born who deserve to have a family, but for whatever reason are placed in the foster care system or put up for adoption. Yet, they are not even considered by some couples because they want a child that "came from them". They are so blinded and driven by this they are willing to "create" a child that is only 2/3 of their genetic make-up.
It's like we have no respect for the wisdom of mother nature. I hate to say it, but maybe if you are unable to have a child there is a reason for it. Perhaps your body is not healthy enough, or you were meant to love a child that doesn't share you're DNA. Just because we have the technology to manufacture children, doesn't mean we should use it. We genetically modify our food and now OUR CHILDREN...What the hell is going on???
I love my children...I would die for them....but I would never subject them to genetic manipulation or experimentation to fulfill my own selfish needs. It is beyond crazy to me how anyone could justify doing this. We, as a society have become consumed with controlling EVERYTHING. You don't like how you look, get surgery, you don't like how you feel, pop a pill, can't have a baby, create one in a lab.
Is nothing sacred?
Thankfully much of the medically community is horrified by this "science", but that will not stop more willing parents for signing up for this Frankenstein medicine.
What do you think, is Genetically Modifying our Children wrong?
Disturbed and disgusted in Granolaville,
9 comments:
I am legitimately embarrassed for you right now - and unsubscribing immediately. The stupidity in this article is too much to believe.
I knew this post might make some people disagree with me, but I wish you could have elaborated on why you felt it was stupid. Thanks for reading.
I understand your point of view. I don't necessarily agree. I fall sonwhwee in the middle of your opinion abs this science. I do think you come across a little insensitive in this post. You don't acknowledge that being mother to 3 you may not understand how couples unable to conceive may feel and what types of internal turmoil ans financial factors go into this type of decision-making. Your tone does not encourage those parents to cine forward to give there perspective. I thing with this topic you have a great opportunity for discussion of what would or would you not do If you were trying to conceive but still keep it crunchy in granolaville.
You are right Chasing Joy. I have been blessed, very easily, with 3 children. I have no idea what its like to try and try to have a child. I know it must be frustrating, painful and seem unfair. I think my outrage for this particular case was misdirected towards ALL parents seeking alternative ways to conceive and for that I am sorry. In reality I was upset that the particular parents in these experiments would go to such lengths to have a child. I understand wanting to use every resource you have to conceive, I just think the emphasis is so much on having a biological child (even if in this case only 2/3 biological) that these parents missed an opportunity to love a child who is already here. I still don't agree that parents should allow their children to be guinea pigs before they are even born, but I do recognize I need to be much more sensitive to those with fertility issues. Thank you for your thoughtful response.
I see both sides of this topic as well. There is a difference between utilizing all your options as hopeful parents and turning to babies that are genetically modified as the article you mentioned had expressed. There are many options out there for parents who desperately want to have a baby and are unable to conceive. If ALLLL the options available are not suitable, is it really necessary to genetically modify them as described in the article?? Are there not enough babies up for adoption? Should it matter that you have three children...because I have none; an opinion is an opinion. The effects of GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD is STILL UNKNOWN. What of the effects of a human that can be genetically modified? Just because they can survive through infancy does not mean we know the effects it will have on the life of the child. If ALLL the possibilities that science has already provided do not work, then maybe adoption is what parents should be thinking about. It is unfortunate for PEASLES that they decided to unsubscribe to GRANOLAVILLE over one post that they do not agree with. PEASLES just shows how closed minded some people may be when they hear something they don't like or agree with. These are the type of readers that are not meant for this site. Granolaville is for those who seek knowledge and can look past the things they do not agree with while learning from the things that they feel fit their life and life style. As Chasing Joy said ...you keep on crunching!
Let's just skip evolution....science and religion should both disagree with this, it is frightening to think what long term result can result because of this. Did you ever watch the movie Children of Men? Gives me this chills just thinking about it.
Amen anonymous. Amen.
Humans have to get over the feeling that they are the center of the universe, all we are doing is taking from this world and killing it as we grow....we are overpopulating, look how many children suffer; whether it be from hunger or homelessness, abuse or lack of love...i feel sympathy for those who cannot reproduce but this "i will get what i want" attitude is blinding...not only do we have no idea what the result will be of these GMO babies, but what are we encouraging? to what level will they take his science next? "growing" humans to use as soldiers? we are losing touch with mother nature and defying all laws of nature ...this is disgusting....
Thank you Anon for your thoughtful response. Agreed.
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