https://padlet.com/1634968/1nw3u9ni7jt6 or the Science of Modifying the Genes of a Fetus en-us 2018-10-10 16:55:18 UTC 2018-10-11 22:16:25 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Babyhead.png 1634968 https://padlet.com/1634968/1nw3u9ni7jt6/wish/291360911 The technology known as CRISPR allows scientists to easily edit the DNA of plants and animals. It works similarly to the copy and paste commands on a keyboard, paving the way for designer babies to make their way into reality. Designer babies are babies who have had their genes modified. This technology is the subject of an intense bioethical debate.

Some families around the world are trapped in fear of their own genes. In cases of Fatal Familial Insomnia, an extremely rare genetic prion disease, most if not all members of an affected family begin to exhibit symptoms such as progressive dementia and other forms of mental degradation, which begin as forgetfulness and confusion but progresses to the sufferer becoming a cripple. They will begin to sleep restlessly and, eventually, they will stop sleeping entirely. Over a period of months to years, a difficulty walking, speaking, eating, delirium, and muscle twitches will occur. For a patient with this terrible disease, the desire and need to sleep can become overwhelming. Despite this, not even a chemically-induced coma could put them to sleep for very long if at all towards the end of the disease. These horrifying symptoms are caused by a sudden and sporadic production of a misfolded version of the PrP protein that attacks and eats away at the thalamus and surrounding areas of the brain. In the case of Fragile X syndrome, children exhibit moderate to severe intellectual disability, as well as having a long head. They die an average of 12 years earlier than the average population. It is caused by a brittle section in an X chromosome, and is more common in men than women.

The concept of editing the genes of a human fetus was taken seriously originally in order to cure and eradicate these genetic diseases and the fear associated wit them, but cosmetic alterations could generate cash flow, which is understandably desirable to most scientists. However, there could be grave consequences to this. Only the higher class could afford a designer baby, and it could create a physical difference in those who are of the higher and lower classes. The higher class could become physically superior to the lower class, and therefore effectively stop a member of the lower class from ascending the ranks of the social ladder.]]> 2018-10-10 16:57:30 UTC https://padlet.com/1634968/1nw3u9ni7jt6/wish/291360911 1634968 https://padlet.com/1634968/1nw3u9ni7jt6/wish/291362192 “Fatal Familial Insomnia.” Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/6429/fatal-familial-insomnia.

“Fragile X Syndrome.” NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders), rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/fragile-x-syndrome/.

Ly, Sarah. “The Embryo Project Encyclopedia.” Ethics of Designer Babies | The Embryo Project Encyclopedia, 2011, embryo.asu.edu/pages/ethics-designer-babies.

Sastry, Namratha. “Helix Magazine.” CRISPR: Dissecting Human DNA | Helix Magazine, 2017, helix.northwestern.edu/blog/2017/04/crispr-dissecting-human-dna.]]> 2018-10-10 16:59:28 UTC https://padlet.com/1634968/1nw3u9ni7jt6/wish/291362192