Not So Far-Fetched Designer Babies

This post originally appeared at https://wifamilycouncil.org/radio/not-so-far-fetched-designer-babies/

The concern that IVF would allow couples to breed so-called “designer babies” is well-founded. According to Slate Magazine, couples can now sequence their embryos’ genomes to maximize their future child’s health, intelligence, attractiveness, or height. They can even select the baby’s eye color. Not only that, one Los Angeles clinic estimates that eighty-five percent of its patients engage in sex selection, often preferring female embryos over male embryos.

When IVF is used in this manner, it’s not merely a solution to infertility; it’s a form of eugenics. As Breakpoint columnists noted, quote, “Infertility is tragic, but it does not warrant an ‘anything goes’ kind of ethic or policy. It certainly cannot justify…designer babies.” End quote. Unfortunately, we currently have no ethical regulations on IVF in Wisconsin.