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,
