PGD for Genetic Defects

As a parent, I know how futile it is to try to make my child something he’s not. And that extends to his genetic make-up. The burgeoning field of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), however, makes it possible for parents to exert a determining force in some of the major characteristics of their children. Dr. Darshak M. Sanghavi in an essay for the New York Times discusses some parents’ desire for children like themselves whether that means deaf children or children with dwarfism.

Here are some reactions from around the blogosphere.

Baby Abuse from The Right Coast

Should deaf parents be allowed to select genes to ensure that their children are deaf? My immediate and continuing reaction is no, absolutely not. It may not be evil — although it may be — but it should not be allowed. After all, if a deaf parent had a hearing child and then intentionally caused the child to become deaf through physical injury, we would certainly prohibit and punish that. Are the gene selections so different?

Choose your baby’s genetic disorder! from The Voice of Today’s Apathetic Youth

Being equally happy with a child who has achondroplastic dwarfism or a child who doesn’t carry the gene is one thing, but actively hoping (and stating that you would deliberately try) for a child with a particular genetic condition that is often associated with specific health problems is kind of… selfish.

Parents Choose Genetic Defects for Their Children from Patterico’s Pontifications

I’m just left shaking my head. I simply can’t fathom how parents could deliberately choose to inflict a disability like deafness on their children. This strikes me as the height of selfishness, which is the antithesis of what good parenting should be about.

Unnatural Selection of a Defective Child from Necessary Roughness:

Life for her [Barbara Spiegel, mother with dwarfism] kid would have been like life for any other kid. No child is the same as his or her parents. All children have their quirks and issues which have to be dealt with by parents. So maybe a dwarf mom feels inadequate to raise a normal child. What normal parent feels adequate to raise a child? It’s hard enough living in this world without choosing your kids to have a tougher time than need be,

If you could choose to have children who were more like you, whether physically or psychologically, would you?

Thank you for the tip, Doris!

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