Would you have a "designer baby"? Genetically engineered
By MissAmie
@MissAmie (717)
United States
April 22, 2009 1:05am CST
And by designer, I don't mean the clothes you dress them in. I mean picking and choosing what genes your child will get from each parent.
I used to be dead set against this nonsense. A child was created just as it was supposed to be and I thought people that did stuff like that were just insane. Well...I've been able to see things from a new perspective and I'm thinking it may not be as insane as I originally thought.
Here is my situation: I carry a genetic disorder called Fragile X Syndrome. (If you don't know what it is, please google it...it's the #1 cause of inherited mental retardation yet no one has ever heard of it). I have a 6 year old daughter who is possibly a carrier, but it's doubtful and an 19 month old son that has the full mutation of the gene which means I'll be lucky if his IQ is above 70 and he could ever live on his own.
I'm ok with his problems.I adore him and I'm not sad, mad, or anything about him having Fragile X. What does worry me though, is that I wanted one more child.
If I have a girl there is almost no chance she will be affected. A boy would have a 50/50 chance. Honestly, one special needs child is enough and I really admire people that can cope with more than one.
So after going to a friend's baby shower I REALLY started thinking about a new baby, which got me thinking about getting a genetics counselor.
Have any of you ever done this? I'm sure it's very costly, but any ideas how much? Or would you leave it to fate?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@zoey7879 (3092)
• United States
22 Apr 09
I'm nowhere near healthy. I can't take a shower without screaming in pain.
I can't cry without my skin burning.
I can't walk unassisted about half the time.
I could list for quite some time the things that are wrong with me.
Doesn't mean I would have never wanted to be born...
1 person likes this
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
22 Apr 09
I dont agree with it in general and for me it would NEVER be an option but I could see in a situation like yours that the option is one ppl would consider and go with...For me personally though, no...if i was that concerned about i'd most likely just adopt a child to be honest with you BUT I have already had 3 kids of my own so thats a factor too really....
What i have MAJOR issues with is the couples who have designer babies just because they are so vain and MUST HAVE the most perfect child....that sort of mindset just makes me sick to my stomache..
2 people like this
@MissAmie (717)
• United States
22 Apr 09
That's what kills me too. I had no idea I carried this syndrome until my son was about 8 months old and not even sitting up yet. His doctor knew something was wrong.
I would have taked him just like he was. Had I known that he would be born with Fragile X I wouldn't have done something crazy like have an abortion or anything. I'm totally against that.
I'm a pretty ethical person and I just really don't see anything wrong with trying to guarantee yourself a "normal" child as opposed to one that will have lifelong issues.
1 person likes this
@kassdaw (591)
• United States
22 Apr 09
I have heard alot about this through medical sources and I still don't understand why someone would want to change something that is ment to be. As far as my kids go, every time all I wanted was a healthy baby. It doesn't matter what the gender of a baby is as long as it is safe and healthy. People who care so much are just vain.
1 person likes this
@MissAmie (717)
• United States
22 Apr 09
"A healthy baby"
Exactly my point. Do you think that living with your mommy and daddy until they die and then you have to go live in a home for retarded people is healthy?
I'm not a religious person, so I can't say "it was god's will." I don't mean to sound angry, but I think I have every right to be. In August of 2006 I lost a daughter in a terrible accident. I got pregnant again and then I get a son that is mentally handicapped. Yeah, that's fair.
Call me vain all you want to...I just don't think it's wrong to want truly HEALTHY children. I don't give a crap about eye and hair color...I just want my kid to be able to do normal things, like drive and go to school and not "special classes."
I wonder if you even have any clue how difficult it is to have a disabled child. That pain is no comparison to actually burying your infant daughter, but there is still a great sense of loss. Oh, and then there's the guilt. The guilt will eat you up.
And one more thing...the only reason gender matters is because Fragile X is carried on the x chromosome (which comes from the woman). If the child is a boy he will either get the screwed up x chromosome or he will get the normal one. Hence, the 50/50 chance.
Honestly, I don't mean to sound short or hateful but please explain to me how people that care about their kid not being a retard and made fun of at school is vain.
I think perhaps the next response you should put some real thought into and not just reply for the couple cents. Put yourself in my shoes. If there was a way to guarantee your child doesn't have a genetic disorder, wouldn't you take it? Or do you prefer the hard road?
1 person likes this
@MissAmie (717)
• United States
23 Apr 09
That's different, and you know it. It's one thing to get picked on cause you have a zit...totally another to be called retarded and stupid. Even worse when you know it's true. The truth hurts sometimes.
Kids do get picked on...I agree...the difference is that under normal circumstances, they have the ability to deal with it.
