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Should genetically modifying babies be legal?
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The procedure would allow people with transferable illnesses to have biological children

Through prohibiting genetic modification of babies, policymakers prevent individuals from experiencing parenthood
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The Argument

For individuals suffering from mitochondrial diseases, having children often comes with the fear of passing on their illness. The genetic modification of babies could allow these people to have biological children without fear. Through mitochondrial replacement therapy, a woman's ill mitochondria can be replaced with a healthy one, allowing these women to have biological children with peace of mind.[1] Although mitochondrial illnesses get the most attention, the procedure could prevent couples from passing on other serious genetic diseases. The genetic modification of babies could allow more couples to experience the joy of parenting and should be allowed for this reason.

Counter arguments

Allowing mitochondrial genetic modification would help only a small number of women conceive biological children. There are other, less risky ways of helping couples with health issues to have children without fear.

Premises

[P1] The genetic modification of babies should be allowed because it could help more couples have children.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] There are safer ways for couples to have children.

References

  1. https://www.umdf.org/mitochondrial-replacement-therapy/
This page was last edited on Tuesday, 28 Apr 2020 at 09:24 UTC

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