Janki Patel
pd.2
January 19, 2015
Annotated Source List
Andersen, Kirsten. “Designer Babies Move Closer To Reach With New IVF GeneScreening Technology.” lifesitenews.com. Life Site, August 8, 2013. Web. December 9,
2014.
<https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/designer-babies-move-closer-to-reach-with-newivf-gene-screening-technology >.
The author talks about new technology that helps modify babies. According to doctor
Michael Glassner a Philadelphia In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) specialist, said that new genetic
screening process could save his clients thousands of dollars and untold heartache Glassner
hopes that Next Generation Sequencing fail in implantation and miscarriages due to
chromosomal abnormalities a thing of the past. He also said that the technology analyzes and
transcribes genetic codes into a computerized data file, that can search for signs of unhealthiness.
This will be a huge saving for people who failed attempts. The author mentions that according to
statistics of the society of Reproductive Medicine that less than 1/2 of those who go through IVF
actually produced baby. The author also explains that if a couple was ready to pay more to NGS
then they could theoretically elect for traits Glassner was interviewed by NPR and there he
claims that doctors are not interested in being part of designer child. He said that at his lab they
use low-resolution version of the technology, and they barely find anything.
This article is good for every reader, because it shows the reality of clinics and the way
this representative technology is being used.
Avraham, Regina. "Chapter 2: Study Of Reproduction And Genetics." The Reproductive
System. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers,2001. Print.
This article basically tells the history of DNA. This article talks about the examination
made by Walther Flemming of stained cells and the nucleus, he examined the dark center area,
the nucleus. He saw how the cell divided and had thread like structure, latterly named
chromosomes. They have a little section on sex cells. In this article August Weismann
hypothesized that there was another process of formation of gametes, and it is meiosis. This
theory was proved by Edouard van Beneden. Mendel discovered by using oea plant breeding
experiments in his garden that DNA affects how offspring cells develop. After this many thing
are discovered, so his finding expanded. They have mentioned in this article, about a race that
was began between two groups of researchers, to discover the structure of DNA. One of the
group/team was California Institute of Technology, headed by Linus Pauling and Robert B.
Corey, and another team working at Cambridge University in England, led by an American
biologist James D. Watson, and a British physicist, Francis H. C. Crick… Watson and Crick
published their results, and the Cambridge team won the race. It is said that the nuclear is the
blueprint of a woman or a man. Also, talk about experiment with Drosophila, by Thomas Hunt
Morgan.
Overall, the research explained in the article helped other researchers to move forward in
understanding genetics. This article is well organized, it has everything in a sequence that helps
the reader understand the concept based on the previous topic.
-- "Chapter 4: The Female Reproductive System." The Reproductive System.
Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers,2001. Print.
This article basically explains the development of a baby and its systems, what part of
body develops at what time/week. Average pregnancy cases last for 266 days. There are three
trimesters: First trimester, second trimester and third trimester. This article has many different
types of inherited disorders, like cervical erosion, cervical cancer; disorders of uterus, fibroids,
polyps, etc. The author also explains about different organs in female body that support
reproductive system, like ovaries, uterus, vagina, etc. The author also mentions about the
menstrual cycle.
This article is a basic level, and it introduces new students to get introduce to this type of
studies. It is really easy to understand, so many kids and researchers will enjoy reading this and
gaining the basic knowledge. Everything is in order and it would be easy to remember as kids.
Birrell, Ian. " Will My Disabled Daughter Have A Place In This Genetic Wonderland?"
theguardian.com. the guardian. "N.p." 8 August. 2014. Web. 8 August.2014.
<http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/aug/08/ny-disabled-daughter-geneticwonderland-prejudice-medical-advance>.
The author explains how technology has been advanced over since a few decades. The
author tells his own story, he had his daughter but she had profound brain damage. The author
and doctors had many questions but did not see any expected signs of brain damage , or any clue
over her condition from the doctor's searching for a diagnosis. They assumed that this would
affect minorly on her IQ. Other doctors were more frank and said that she won't be able to walk,
talk or eat by herself. It was a very tough time for the author and his wife. But, then they had
adapted to their daughter. But, them before 4 years ago they finally got the diagnosis.
This article is a good reference and will be helpful to people who are not successful
getting diagnosis and this could be their motivator. This article is in favor of allowing people to
pick their baby's gender so that they don't carry any diseases.
Darnovsky, Marcy. "Genetically Modified Babies." The New York Times. 23 February,
2014. Web. 23 February, 2014.
< http://nyti.ms/1fv84Bh >.
Berkeley, Calif; an advisor committee of the food and drug administration is set to begin
two days of meeting to consider racial biological procedures, if it was successful, would produce
genetically modified human beings. this technique would be able to change every cell of the
body. the FDA cause them mitochondrial manipulation technologies. this has to do with nuclear,
and replacing the unhealthy DNA with healthy DNA. According to the author every year 1,000
to 4,000 children in the USA develop a mitochondrial disease which prevents mitochondria
from/converting food into energy. The author said that many doctors, scientists and policy
makers think people should be allowed to use this process, but not for manipulating the genetic
traits of future kids. Researchers at Oregon Health and Science University have produced 5
monkeys and 4 are adults and all 5 are healthy. The researchers saw some abnormalities in
humans zygotes and in fertilized egg of monkeys. They concluded that humans oocytes, a cell in
a ovary that many undergo meiotic division to form an ovum, are more sensitive. The FDA
advisory panel says that its meeting will consider only scientific aspects of mitochondrial
manipulation and that any "ethical and social policy issues" are outside its range . The author
states that the things we are able to do, doesn't mean we should be doing it.
This article is really well organized. it would be useful to people who are in favor of
using this technique of selecting traits and gender . This article basically shows the pros and cons
of selecting traits of a babies.
"Designer-a-baby?" Bionet. "N.p" 2002. Web.2002.
< http://www.bionetonline.org/english/content/db_intro.htm >.
Advance reproductive technologies help parents and doctors screen embryos for genetic
disorders and replace them with a healthy embryo. Designer babies is a term only used by
journalists and not by scientists and doctors. This website explains IVF and PGD,as well as germ
line therapy and body cell gene therapy. The website explains that PGD takes place while IVF a
process. Determining the sex is a baby could be helpful in preventing babies from getting
genetical diseases that only show in either gender. Many countries have banned sex selection and
some countries has allowed it to avoid diseases. Sex selection provokes ethical issues scientists
were interested in interesting human genes in animals egg, sperm or embryos. In April 2001, the
first genetically modified monkey was born, named Andi. But unfortunately, germ line therapy
cannot be done in humans, because it might produce babies with unpredicted diseases. There is a
section of rights and wrongs on this topic, such as in some cases parents use this method to help
their first child by producing a second child and then transplanting necessary parts. In addition to
advantages of this method, the website also gives reasons why some people are against designing
babies, such as, parents and doctors are creating child to help their older brother or sister just like
an organ donating factory. Children should be loved and cherished for themselves and not what
they can do for others.
This website is good resource for everyone to have a good and clear understanding of
designer babies. This website is well organized and is simple language.
Diep, Francie. " First-Ever Human Trial Of An Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Treatment
Set to Begin." Popular Science. "N.p." , 10 September. 2014. Web. 10 September. 2014.
<http://www.popsci.com/article/science/first-ever-human-trial-induced-pluripotent-stemcell-treatment-set-begin>.
In this article a Japanese patient with severe eye disease is set to become the first person
to be treated with induced pluripotent stem cells. This test is set to be the most important moment
in the history of biotechnology. The author says that stem cell therapies carry risk of creating
tumor, although the scientist doing the treatment of this Japanese patient proved that did not
cause a tumor in mice and monkeys .Yet, scientists are not sure if it will work on humans. The
author says that these induced pluripotent cells are special because they are not made up of
embryos, instead they come from harvesting skin cells. Then the author says this patient , has
macular degeneration a progressive disease in which people lose their light detecting cells in the
retina of the eye. The author also says that scientists have tried on embryonic stem cells as a
treatment for the disease.
This resource is actually good, and is not very hard to understand. This article helps
everyone understand the concept of stem cell treatments. This will be good resource for
researchers but also more helpful to high school students, in order to increase their knowledge in
school in stem cell field.
Fox, Div. "Reproducing Race" Huffpost. "N.p" 6 October, 2014. Web. 6 October
< http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/5942166 >.
Over millions of children are born using donated sperm and eggs, in U.S. Parents can
order sperm and eggs from the sperm bank and egg vendors, online, based on donor’s SAT
scores, personality tests and even celebrity likeness. Dr. Rothman, co-founder of the world’s
leading sperm bank, California Cryobank, said they offer variety of choices to parents. The
author says most sperm banks and egg vendors separates sperm and egg by the race of the donor.
He claims that this is not anything racist, it is just all about business.It is fair in business. Sperm
banks and egg vendors are just trying to gift parents what they want. The author explains at case
from 1964, Anderson V. Martin, where people said it wasn’t necessary to include their race on
the voting ballots. The author argues that the donor’s sperm shouldn’t be classified according to
his race, because it is just disrespectful. But, this also does not mean that everyone should
integrate their families.
This is a great source for parents who are iin search of donors nut cannot travel to
far places, then this is the resolution, they can order whatever they want online and get treatment
done in their city. The author, Dov Fox, is a law Professor at the University of San Diego.
"Gender and Genetic." World Health Organization. World Health Organization. 7 April,
1999. Web. 28 October, 2014.
< http://www.who.int/genomics/gender/en/ >.
Sex selection has many different ethical, legal and social implications. Doctors are
concerned that sex selection for non-medical reasons will reinforce discrimination against
women. There are three reasons for sec discrimination and sex selection : medical, family
balancing , and gender presence. This website has a section about ethical issues raised sex
selection. It explains the principles concerned with sex selection practice. First, it will distort the
natural sex ratio, leading to a gender imbalance.Second it decreases the value of women. The
website also has a section explaining how coupes went and looked if they had boy or girl after
the sperm and egg was fertilized. This website also had a section about fertilization. This
explains about IVF methods , how doctors take sperm and egg from parents and then let it
fertilize, either in vitro or in vivo. This website discusses the involvement of government in the
process of sex selection. In societies, where male offsprings are more valuable, government has
banned the sex selection process. Due to sex selection in 2001 in India, the national sex ratio was
933 female to 1000 males, but only 927 females in the age group under six year old. This website
also mentions a survey in Germany by Dahl et al. which inquired whether there was both a
significant preference for children of a particular sex in Germany. they surveyed 1094 men and
women between the age of 18-45 years about their gender preference and whether or not they
should be allowed or not. The researchers concluded that sex selection will not lead to gender
imbalance in Germany.
This website is useful in many ways. This could be used by anyone who is finding
support for their argument on sex selection.
"Genetic Selection." Center for Genetics and Society. Center for Genetics And Society. 19 May,
2014. Web. 29 October, 2014.
< http://www.geneticsandsociety.org/section.php?id=82 >.
This website at first explains the process of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis(PGD). It
gives clear information about PGD's history. A newer variation of PGD, pre-implantation genetic
haplotyping allows for many gene to be tested and for greater accuracy. There are many articles
that can be referenced on topics related to sex selection. Some are Genetic Testing for
Alzheimer's - without revealing the results by Shirley S. Wang, in which doctors are planning
new ways to protect patients. Eugenics: The Academy's Complicity by Nathaniel Adam Tobias,
explains a scenario of university of London, and how it will involve in complicity in constructing
unjust racial hierarchy. Disability will never be immoral by Jesus cussing, which reviews
prenatal genetic testing can be a valuable tool, but it provides attracting attention by reason of
being unusual on limited data will my Disabled Daughter have a place in this Genetic
wonderland? By Iran Birrell, explains a situation when they had to go through a lot in order to
get their daughter like other kids.
This website leads us to links with many new articles/topics. This is very useful source to
people who are finding articles, or may be some thing to research on, this website is a good
source.
Green Hank and Green John. " Heredity: Crash Of Course Biology#9." YouTube.
YouTube, 26 March. 2012. Web. 26 March. 2012.
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBezq1fFUEA>.
The authors of this video have some of the same traits, since they are brothers and the
source of their DNA is the same. The author uses the sayings of Aristotle, saying that," we’re
each a mixture of our parent’s traits, with the father supplying life force and the mother
supplying the building blocks." In this video, the authors talk about the father of genetics, Gregor
Mendel, who experimented with pea plants, and wanted to know how the traits passed on. He
found out a human cell has 23 pairs of chromosomes.The author mention a specific section in
chromosomes known as gene, that contains traits. The authors talk about polygenic traits, that
means many genes also pleiotropie. There is one gene that determines the consistency of your ear
wax and that chromosomes is at same location, it is the 16th pair of the chromosomes.
Then the author talks about “Allele” that determines whether the ear wax will be wet or not. The
authors include a small section about polyploids cells, that means they have more than two sets
of chromosomes; these are found in some plants. The author also talks about Reginald C.
Punnett, who was a great fan of Gregor Mendel, and who invented a Punnett Square. This square
helps to find the traits of the offsprings. At the end the author also talks about sex chromosomes.
William Henry "Hank" Green is a professional blogger and the founder of the
environmental technology blog EcoGreek. He has achieved internet fame through his video
blogs, along with his brother, author John Green.This video really helps having a better
understanding with images and small dialogue boxes. This will be really helpful to people who
are having trouble understanding the key concepts.
Hensley, Samuel D. “ Designer Babies: One Step Closer”. The center for Bioethics and
Human dignity. Trinity International University. “N.P.” June 30,2004
<https://cbhd.org/print/content/designer-babies-one-step-closer>.
This article describes difficulties of a family in Northern Ireland and also shares some
ethical thoughts about gender selection. As son from the family has Diamond. Blackfan anemia,
a condition that usually occurs as a spontaneous genetic mutation. The only way his disease can
be cured is if the doctors use preimplantation genetic diagnosis and then produce an embryo and
place it in his mom’s womb so that doctors can produce compatible siblings. And then his
disease could be cured. The procedure is illegal in Great Britain and is regarded as unethical. The
Christian perspective regards these embryos as early human life, made in the image of God.
However, this article does not mention what the family’s plans are regarding to the offspring.
Immanuel Kant, the prominent philosopher of rationalism felt that human beings should always
be treated as ends in themselves and not as the means for another person to attain his or her ends.
The author says that Blastomere Biopsy is safe as doctors pick just single cell from the embryo
for genetic testing. The author concludes that creating life primarily to serve someone else
especially when the others life may be rejected and destroyed.
This article is bias because it has point of views of Christianity. But this article is helpful
to everyone. This could be useful in concepts like cases in court based on PGD.
Karambelas Connie and Rivera Eddy. "Custom Delivery? Technology is getting closer to
the total designer baby." Medil Reports "N.P." , 03 June, 2010. Web.
<http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=166356>.
The author says that, today, we order ipods, laptops, deli sandwiches,etc. But ,now also
babies, that holds the freckles, extra brain, and many other traits we want. The author then
explains how all doctors/scientists do by this, all doctors/scientists use IVF method, they take a
couple of eggs out of the woman's ovaries and sperm from their partner, and then they combine
both and let the sperm fertilize the egg, in a lab dish. Susannah Baruch says that sex selection is
really simple in IVF. There are several factors that affect the process, such environmental and
genetic contributors. He leads to a question,what if in future someone comes up to him, and tells
her she found 10 genes for intelligence, and how your child would people react ? Nanette Elster,
a lawyer, and few other people claim that designing babies poses ethical issue that are far more
complicated than the technology. Elster also said that if people select baby's traits and want them
to be athletes and artistry, it is unfair to the babies because they will not get a chance to decide
what they want to become. She claims that selecting sex and traits is an issue of messing up with
nature. But, Arthur Caplan, the Director for the Center of the bioethics at the University of
Pennsylvania says that this process shouldn't be limited, because if all doctors can give a baby a
better memory gene, then that is absolutely good.
This article is and argumentative article,but , it is really helpful to both, people who think
this process should be limited and also who think this shouldn't be limited. This article leads
readers to think about changing their opinion towards this process of sex selection, and also
traits.
Khazan, Olga. "We're Already Designing Babies." theatlantic.com. The Atlantic. 3 July, 2014.
Web. 22 December, 2014.
< http://theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/07/were-already-designing-babies/373896 >.
The author describes the new procedure of using In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF). The new
procedure allows doctors transfer the mitochondrial DNA from another mother. This process of
IVF is mainly used by very few woman, who has the mitochondrial disease, that leads their child
to birth with some defect. The author also mentions the debate going on between US and UK,
permitting clinics to use this new IVF a procedure. The author explains that people are against
this procedure because they say that it is not appropriate to penetrate the inside of a cell. The
author also said that doctors still don't know what are risks of the mitochondrial replacement. But
in some way they are still designing babies, and medical technology will allow to do. The author
said that parents would be at the point where they will shop traits of their offsprings. The author
brings up an idea, what will happen when everyone one will want to have a little Tim Tebow or
Steve jobs? Cherish thompson, a psychologist, told Alexis Madrigal, that if this procedure is put
out to the world, to more people, more and more people will want to use this procedure. The
author says that because of parental diagnosis of Down Syndrome, 92% of all women choose to
abort.
This article is a bias. The author is stating his observation but it is also a helpful resource
if anyone is finding points for debate.
Kliff, Sarah. "Congress Debates Ban On Sex-Selection Abortions As Researchers Explore How
Often They Happen." The Washington Post. "N.p" 30 April, 2014. Web. 30 October,
2014.
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/post/congress-debates-ban-on-sexselective-abortions-as-researchers-explore-how-often-theyhappen/2012/05/30/gJQAwhpN2U_blog.html >.
The author explains about a debates that Congress had on outlawing sex selection
abortion, thought to send people to jail if they find that sex selection is heading women make a
decision to abort their child. This argument leads to some questions like, are sex selection
abortions actually happening in United States? If so, till what extent? Researchers have not yet
found any evidences of practicing sex selection abortion being widespread, though they have
found that different cultures force some women to to end pregnancies. Researchers found that
ultrasound, and amniocentesis technology made it possible to know the gender of a fetus, during
its 14th week, and this leads many abortion after the ultrasound test, moire in India and China as
boys are prefered. In the United States, there is a more balanced ratio. Some people do have
abortions but they are usually before 13th week. The author explains a story of an Asian women
who had her daughter and her mother-in-law was ok with that; however, she expected that her
daughter-in-law have a boy in her next pregnancy.Unfortunately, the woman had another
daughter and her mother-in-law did not even touch her because she prefered a male offspring.
Sunita Puri, a researcher suggested that people can remind, all girls that they are not any less
than their brothers, at all.
This article is a debate, and it is really helpful if someone needs some information if they
are arguing on the topic. This article gives evidence, that sex selection does take place. The
author also gives suggestions for some families.
"Making Babies." Frontline. PBS online, June . 2014. Web. November 11.
< http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/fertility/etc/synopsis.html >.
In this website, Frontline examines medical revolution that allow parents to have a child,
if they are not to reproduce naturally. It also answers many questions that one raised because of
change in nature in families. Dr. Samuel Wood, and infertility doctor is San Diego said that in 20
years there will be no couple who will be unable to have a baby, Frontline mentions the expenses
of purchasing eggs and sperms online. they cost from $3,000 to $ 50,000 for eggs from attractive
young woman with Ivy league educations, to the hiring of surrogates to carry a child. The author
mentions a story of a lesbian who risked and ordered the sperm from a man who had a shorten
life. She took a risk and gave birth to twins struggling to live. Dr. Mark Sauer, a specialist in
infertility at Columbia, said that in this progress, either the woman gets pregnant or not, its either
yes or no. George Annas and Nigel Cameron are bioethicists who warn people that they may be
going too far with these extraordinary new medical technologies, and ultimately they are stuck
with ethical issues like if families want a baby of a specific gender with special traits.
This source is a synopsis, so it is a summary of and interview. This website is nice source to
look, as it shows different suggestions on making a baby, and also explains its effects. This
overall says that making babies is a good thing, but then after it is done, and parents do not get
what they want accurately they have to deal with it.
Marsh, Beezy. "Couple To Have Britain's First Designer Baby," dailymail.co.uk. Daily
Mail Online. "N.p" 16 October, 2001. Web. 16 October, 2001.
< http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-78685/Couple-Britains-designer-baby.html >.
A couple had their first "designer" baby in Britain, to prevent their older son from dying
of leukemia. The couple traveled to the United States, because they couldn't do genetic screening
in Britain because of strict Britain laws on genetic screening. the doctor selected an embryo that
was a perfect bone marrow match with their sick boy. if the boy starts relapsing then the best
chance to recover in a bone marrow transplant, but finding a donor with perfect match could be
near to impossible. Their fourth child was finally born using the PGD. Experts at the
Reproductive Genetic Institute in Chicago carried out IVF treatment and then screened embryos
to find a good match for the British couples son. Two embryos were selected for transplantation
into the woman's womb and one survived. Immediately doctors took blood from umbilical cord,
that is rich in stem cells. This blood will be stored in cases it is needed for a life saving transplant
for the son. The fourth son in their family brought happiness again to their lives. The kid's dad
says that they are not picking traits of their baby, they are just trying to prevent an illness.
Fertility specialist Mohamed Taranissi, said that it is ridiculous that parents have to have a baby
to save the life of an existing child.
This article is not too long. This whole article is about the story of a couple who was in
Britain and traveled to U.S in order to use IVF and become pregnant. This is a really helpful
article to parents who are planning to have a child.
Miller, Kenneth R. And Levine, Joseph S. "Chapter 14.2: Human Genetic Disorders."
Biology. Boston: Pearson, 2010. Print.
In this chapter, the authors tell what happens when a gene fails to work or works
improperly. It talks about the connection between a molecule and its traits, and a;so the
connection between genotype and phenotype , they tell that these connections are often simple,
as direct changes in gene’s DNA sequence can be changed by protein the alters the amino acids
sequences, which may directly affect one’s phenotype. In other words, there is a molecular basis
for genetics disorders. This chapter talks about sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, and
Huntington's disease and also about the effects of errors in meiosis. They say if nondisjunction
occurs during meiosis, then gametes with an abnormal number of chromosomes may result
leading to a disorder of chromosome number.
It is really helpful chapter , for getting in depth of knowledge of genetic diseases, and
disorders of DNA. This is not basics but it is also not really hard level, it is for high school
students. This chapter can be used in many ways, like learning basic knowledge on DNA
disorders.
Miller, Kenneth R. And Levine, Joseph S. "Chapter 14.3: Studying the Human Genome."
Biology. Boston: Pearson, 2010. Print.
This chapter has a lot of details about sequencing the genomes and how to read
sequences. Also it tells what to do , step by step. It gives basic information, then goes into depth
about DNA, sequencing. They tells, “of hundreds of known restriction enzymes, each cut DNA,
at different sequencing of nucleotides. Once DNA has been cut by restriction enzymes, scientists
can use a technology known as gel electrophoresis, to separate and analyze the differently sized
fragments“ They talk a lot more about analyzing DNA. They tell what happens when an electric
voltage is applied to the gel. They explain a project, that was a 13-year, international effort with
the main goal of sequencing all 3 billion base pairs of humans DNA and identifying genes and
sequencing them, then they also compare sequences, and when the final draft is ready they will
share the data. They also tell what they learned and also come up with questions.
This article could be also use to do the project that they did to test if they are correct, or if
you have any doubts in their projects. It will also help you understand everything more easily
because it includes hands on hands activity.
Mossie, Katie. " Fertility Clinic Offers Gender Selection, Draws Women From Abroad."
abcnews.go.com. abc News. "N.p." 24 November. 2012. Web. 24 November. 2012.
<http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/fertility-clinic-offers-gender-selection-drawswomen-abroad/story?id=17219176>.
Some countries banned the practice of gender selection ,because in these countries in
these countries people tend to prefer more over other, steinberg ,a reproductive endocrinologist
said that China wanted to have baby boys, whereas the rest of the world prefers girls. In India,
the women start their procedure with daily injection of fertility drug at the women's home
country. The drug stimulates the ovaries to produce many eggs and this prevents a woman from
ovulating naturally, and the process is timed very accurately. The eggs are then Fertilized with
their parent's sperm in a laboratory and set to grow into embryo , and then they pick a cell and
check its chromosome. If it is the right chromosomal combo then it is picked and placed in the
woman's womb. Sandy Fleming , President of World O' Travel in Woodland Hills, Calif, claims
that patients come on very short notice and then the doctors have to do their best at hearing the
patient's problems/stories and try to be most comfortable doctors have to make sure the patient's
relaxed, because it will make the procedure more successful. The author also says the gender
selection is also expensive, and it is said that the cost of gender selection procedure is more than
combined cost of PGD and IVF. But,to some couples cost does not matter, they just want the
accurate result.
This article is very good source. It lets readers know about some thoughts of other countries,
and also suggests readers consider the money that is spent on this process. This article is helpful
to parents who are wanting to pick their baby's gender and to those may consider the money
spent as a waste.
Morales, Tatiana. " Choosing Your Baby's Gender." CBS. "N.p." 6 November. 2002.
Web. 6 November. 2002.
< http://www.cbsnews.com/news/choosing-your-babys-gender/ >.
The author claims that letting parents chose the gender of their babies will help them
avoid passing genetic diseases to the baby. But, eventually couples used it to balance their
families. After a few years, a company in Virginia was providing this service to more people.
The author mentions a couple who was the first to pick the gender of their baby and they
picked a daughter after having two sons, thinking it was important to have a daughter. Dr. Blauer
says that more than 300 babies who were born using this technique should be screened. The
author shares a few couples who chose the gender of their babies, some used this technique for
choosing gender, others to save their child from getting genetic diseases and some use to fulfil
their dreams. The Genetics and IVF Institution wants all couples to be balanced in gender choice,
so it means they should already have a kid of the opposite sex than they choose. Another method
of gender selection is pre-implantation genetic diagnosis in which the embryos are used to screen
and figure the genetics disease. Not all consider that gender selection is useful on ethical, they
think it is gender discrimination.
This article is useful to know the purpose of choosing the gender of the baby and what
are its consequences. Thus, it is important for parents to know that this technique work. This
article led to many questions, like is this true? Or can this be done for any reason,or should there
be special conditions?
Naik, Gautam. "Designer Babies:' Patented, Process Could Lead To Selection Of Genes
For Specific Traits." wsj.com The Wall Street journal. Oct 3,2013. Web. Jan 5,2015.
The author said that the patented process from 23andMe, whose main business is
collecting DNA from customers and analyzing it to provide information about the health and
ancestry, and then they match the genetic profile of a donor to would-be-parent. 23andMe offers
trait selection for babies, through a tool called the family Trait Inheritance Calculator. The author
claims that some people think that it is unethical to bioengineer children because it is better if
parents can secure their child's future. The author also said that some clinics in US not only use
PGD to prevent disease, but also to allow parents to pick gender and traits of their baby. The
author also explains that physical traits are governed by multiple genetic factors as as
environmental effects. He also said that a chart of the patient give the doctors all the details of
patient and the patients can not only choose a child with a low risk of colorectal cancer along
with a high probability of green eyes. Jacob Sherkow, an expert on biotechnology school says,
that in past people thought the process of PGD was unethical but now due to the progress in
technology it is like a routine now.
23andMe was co-founded in 2006 by Anne Wojcicki, who recently separated from his
husband, Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google Inc. This article has very good thoughts and also
explains the progress of technology.
Rose, Lisa.” Sex-Selection in America: Part 1- Undercover in Texas.” Youtube. Youtube. 29
May,2012. Web. 29 May, 2012.
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2H3ZDnBtuw>.
Over 100,000,000 girls are missing. The author says that these girls were the victims of
female gendercide. The author explains what is gendercide, it is the targeting of females for
extermination through infanticide, and most often the aborting of pre-born girls, just because
they are girls. These type of distruction is worst in China but now it has spread far beyond, even
sections of America’s populatin have distored sex ratio, according to the author.In April 2012,
live action investigated abortion clinics, to know what would the clinic do if some one request a
sex selected abortion. In this Video live action agent went to “ Planned Parenthood” in Houston,
Texas. The agent Meet Rebecca, counselor at Planned parenthood.The agent told her that she
was pregnant and she wants to terminate her child if it was a baby girl. Planned Parenthood
advises waiting until the unborn child is 4-5 months old to detect if it’s a girl for a late term
abortion. So, the counselor is in favor of aborting the child on basis of the gender of the unborn
baby. This is not good for the society. They Coach how to abuse Medicaid to pay for detecting
the baby’s gender for a late-term abortion. They also give advice on how to get an ultrasound
from a local OB/GYN to confirm the sex of the baby for a discriminatory sex selective abortion.
This video is made by an organization, live action. Lisa Rose founded live action when
she was 15 years old. It is legal, non profit organization. They use the platform of media and
educate the public about humanity of the unborn and investigative journalism to expose the
threats. This video is biased, as it just shows her point of view, but it is also useful to people like
doctors, they will have knowledge about dark side of humanity.
Sanghavi, Darshak M. "Wanting Babies Like Themselves, Some Parents Choose Genetic
Defects." nytimes.com. The New York Times. "N.p." 5 December. 2006. Web. 5
December.2006.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/05/health/05essa.html?_r=0>.
The author explains that he understands the reason many parents use the IVF process to
create their babies in their footsteps. The author includes evidence of many things that parents do
to ensure that their baby in their footsteps. The author also reviews about the preimplantation
genetic diagnosis. This process Is unusually used to cure genetic disease , but many parents use
to fulfil their demands. The author mentions Candace A. McCullough and Sharon M.
Duchesneau, a lesbian and deaf couple from MD. They had a deaf child because the sperm donor
was deaf. Ms. Duchesneau said "A hearing baby would be a blessing ," and "A deaf baby would
be a special blessing." The author says that the web serves people with many dating sites for
almost any religion or ethnic subgroup, but yet sometimes PGD provides reject their applications
to use this process. Dr. Yury Verlinsky of the Reproduction Genetics institution in Chicago
refuses to the requests of using this process and claims that the diagnostic tool is made to avoid
diseases. The author includes an example of a situation when both parents are dwarf but many
still tend to carry a dwarf baby or an average-height child to term. The author mentions that she
learned to respect a family's judgment, as a physician who helps women deal with fetal disease.
She mentions that how parents feel more strong when they have children similar to them.
This article is really useful to many researchers. This article ends with a clear understanding
of the PGD process, and have more question on different areas, like what are some conditions in
which doctors will definitely allow you to use this method.
Shanks, Pete. "Evolution Right Now Is In The Marketplace." Huffpost. "N.p" 12
September, 2014. Web. 12 September, 2014.
< http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/5804274 >.
The author talks about George church, a professor at Harvard and MIT. In this article
Church just had a publication in the Economist, which talks about some if Church’s predictions
for human genetic modification. He predicts that in future DNA could be used to eliminate
disease and allow parents to have a baby of their choice. Dr. Church claims that human genetic
modification is not as far away as humans think. He explains that this news will be shocking to
Neal Jordan, a science fiction author. He recently published a book Trans God about 500 years
in future, and that will actually be really happening, but people think it is all fiction today. The
author also talks about another book that was newly published in UK, by Israeli historian Yuval
Noah Harari, Sapiens: A Brief History Of Humankind. He deeply thinks that human genetic
modification will lead to a more unequal society greatly more than we've been in, today. Harari
said in 20th century the main job of medicine was just to bring everyone to a certain level of
health and capability. harari also said in the 21st century there will be a real possibility of
creating, biological castes, with real biological differences between rich and poor. Church wants
to do everything above and beyond as it is explained in the article.
This article is helpful to some researchers. This could be used as an motivation for
researching many new topics. This is a scholarly research and the language style is hard, so
needs a lot of effort if it is used by a high school student.
Steere, Mike. "Designer babies: Creating the Perfect Child." CNN.com. CNN. 30
October, 2008. Web. 30 October, 2014.
<http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/10/30/designer.babies >.
As per the increasing knowledge about the human genome , doctors are able to design
babies . This technique can help doctors pick the sex of an embryo and allow them to check for
any disease . This would result in either termination in a pregnancy or the embryo is analyzed
and only non-disease genes cells are selected. A British scientist is offering people a new
technique of karyomapping , that helps doctors screen genes for a higher risk of cancer , diabetes
or heart disease . This test costs around 3000 dollars . This could help eliminate disease by
replacing the family DNA with healthy DNA but, some countries have made genetic screening .
Executive director of the organization , Richard Hayes , told CNN that the general public of the
most of the countries were missing out on taking part in the debate . Professor of Biological
Chemistry and Development and Cell Biology and Co- directors of the center. Peters Donovan
feels the research could have massive benefits . He said not only will the ability to generate large
quantities of cell with altered genes , allow people to study disease in depth , but according to
stem cell therapies. According to Hayes misuse of this technology could result in discrimination
in human race. It is used in many countries to avoid the both of female children according to
Hayes , people should start debating and make rules before the technology is complete and
accessible.
In conclusion this article is useful to all the people who are curious about designer
babies . This passage leads to many questions , perhaps "should parents be allowed to create
their own babies ".
Waldman, Paul. "In Praise of Designer Babies." prospect.org. The American Protest. 10
October, 2013. Web. 10 October, 2013.
< http://prospect.org/article/praise-designer-babies >.
In the 70's thought that in-vitro fertilization was not safe and believed that it would result
in some extraordinary mutated cells but, as timed passed people's beliefs changed . Now , people
would like to use in order to have a child . According to the author , designer babies are just a
phrase for genetic engineering for humans . The author mentions a story from NPR in which the
federal government is considering whether to allow scientist to modify babies or not. Some
people who are not in favor claim that this could help prevent some children from getting
terrifying disease where people who are not in favor argue that only rich people could afford the
procedure . Every new medical technique is investigated before it becomes common . A christian
scientist says that if people are going to treat an illness then why don't people just modify babies
and prevent them. According to the author , people are overestimating the degree to which
genetics engineering could produce inequality . At the conclusion of the article , the author
wonders if in about 100 years there will be a pill that a pregnant woman takes to boost the child's
IQ about 20 points. The author claims this adding that this could be possible because own society
has too many smart people .
This article is really useful to everyone as it tells prospective of other citizens . This
article also has the involvement of government in it . It is also well organized .
Wenner Moyer, Melinda. ”Infant Possibilities” Popular Science. August 2014: 50-55. Print.
The article is about how doctors have been able to help some people to choose if they
want a girl or boy baby. They are also able to know what color eyes they will have and also the
color of their hair. They give an example of one girl who had problems of low blood sugar when
she was born and doctors were able to cure it. Stephen Kingsmore, Director of the Center of
Pediatrics Genomic Medicine at Children’s Mercy Hospital, now says, if scientist look at the
chromosome they can identify their traits. Steinberg says that identifying eye color is 90- 94 %
accurate and he is raising money to do more research so he gets 99% accurate results. But, traits
like IQ, height, attractiveness, cannot be chosen, because the doctors has not found the gene for
them. It seems that in 5 years, there will be technologies to find those genes too.
This article is helpful, because reader get new knowledge of new technologies in
reproductive health. It is a high level article for high schoolers, and if it is not useful for research,
it is sure that this will be helpful for studies, and many people can use this article in debate. This
article specifically tells how doctors identify whether the cell if girl or a boy, then by sequencing
their genomes they can figure out if they have any disease, so researchers can use this basic
information.
"Would You Choose Your Child's Gender?" CNN:Health:Vital signs. CNN. 9 December,
2009. Web. 30 October, 2014.
< http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/12/08/video.wall.gender.baby/ >.
The author explaining a survey that was done in different parts of world. They asked
people a question, would you choose your childs gender or not. A few people said that , yes it
should be allowed to pick gender because it is important to know and prepare one for whatever
child one may have ; but some said no because they thought that they didn't have any right to
pick . They should be happy with what they have , and what they will get as a gift from god. The
author said that the technology is increasing , but the scientists are questioning where they should
be using this or not. The author explains the history of (PGD). He explains people avoid passing
genetic disease to the baby. Although, sex- selection is banned in some countries it is very
expensive ; it cost around $18,000 including in vitro fertilization Dr.Jeffrey Steinberg , fertilizing
expert , Los Angeles , she was interviewed and she said that most of the clients used sexselection to balance their families . She claims that China and India are strongly in favor of
boys , but if you look in general to the world it is 50-50. Dr.Marla Hughes , who pioneered PGD
, asked a question , should doctors be involved in this ? Steinberg said that doctors should not set
any limits to the technologized progress. Some people think that this has to do with god and
some think this is a choice that should be given when planning for a baby.
This argument is really helpful to parents who are planning to have a baby and are thinking
about selecting their sex. This is also a good source for supporting arguments on this topic.