Genetics Research Project on Designer Babies. By Megan Harrigan<3 And Nicole Wong.

1. Designer Babies
Megan Harrigan & Nicole Wong
Period 1 & 8

2. Basic Principles
• Traits are controlled by dominant and recessive alleles because
individual alleles control the inheritance of traits. Some alleles are
dominant, while other alleles are recessive. A dominant allele is one
whose trait always shops up in the organism when the allele is present. In
co-dominant alleles, there is no dominant or recessive alleles. A
recessive allele is masked, or covered up, whenever the dominant allele
is present. When the chromosomes pairs separate. in two two different
sex cells, so do the alleles carried on each chromosome. One allele from
each pair goes to each sex cell.

3. Punnett Square
• http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=prkHKjfUmMs

4. Human Genome
• The Human Genome Project started in 1990, was a planned 15 year study controlled
by two different parts of the US Government
• The project was finished in 13 years because of new technology that was
developed.
• This project was created to diagnose,find,treat and prevent the 1000’s of disorders.
• Goals- Identify all genes in human DNA (between 20,000-25,000),
• Determine the sequences of the 3 billion chemical base pairs in human DNA,
• Store this information in computers for later use
• Improve the tools for data analysis.
• One of the laws that had to be changed in order to do the human genome project
was the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act or (GINA). On May 21st, 2008 it
was signed by President Bush. This act prohibits U.S insurance companies and
employers from discriminating on the basis of information derived from genetic
tests. Nany Pelosi says “Because of this legislation, Americans will be free to
undergo genetic testing for diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and
Alzheimer’s without fearing for their job or health insurance.

5. Human Genome Project
• http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=gkQJ26DAxfs

6. Implications of the Genome
Project
There are two types of Ethical Implications: Genetic
Engineering which consists of issues regarding genetic
manipulation. And Genetic information, which consists of
questions regarding the collection and use of genetic
information.What if enhancement engineering does not
produce the desired results? It would be a waste of money.
Another question is What if genetic engineering is used for
non-medical reasons?

7. Legal and Social
Once the genetic information is collected theres many
questions to ask about the legal and social
implications, some of these include:
Who should have access to personal genetic
information? Who owns and controls the information?
How does this information affect the perception of
that individual?

8. Genetic Disorder
An example of a singe gene disorder would be Tay- Sachs Disease. Tay- Sachs Disease is
an autosomal which is in the nervous system. You can be catch this disease after birth.
Children that are homozygous recessive for this allele barley survive past the age of 5.
They suffer an ability to make the enzyme N- acetyl-hexosaminidase. That breaks down
the ganglioside lipid this lipid is in lysosomes which is in brain cells. Which will soon kill
the brain cells.There are many other disorders. They are all medical problems such as heart
disease, diabetes, and obesity. They all don't have a single genetic.
Genetic counseling offers invaluable information to people whose unborn children are at
risk for certain genetic diseases and birth defects—either before they are expecting or once
they become pregnant. Genetic testing examines the genetic information contained inside
a person's cells to determine if that person has or will develop a certain disease or could
pass a disease to his or her offspring. Genetic screening can help make the future clearer
for those with: Advanced maternal age (mothers older than 35)—the most common reason
women seek genetic testing or a family history of disorders such as diabetes. Depending
on the results from the screening it can change the perspective on a couple wanting to
have children in the future.

9. • A normal human karyotype has 46 chromosomes: 22 pairs of autosomes
and 2 sex chromosomes. What happens when a person has something
different, such as: Too many or too few chromosomes? Missing pieces of
chromosomes? Mixed up pieces of chromosomes?

10. Genetic Disorders and
•
Diseases
http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=8s4he3wLgkM
• Single Gene: http://
www.youtube.com/watch?
v=zzhmr1qom3Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJuo937gz44

11. Scientific Advancements in Cloning
• In 1800 the first clones were created by Hans Dreisch, where he used
hair to break apart a salamander cell, and as a result there was a clone.
It wasn’t very useful but it was a start. Then in 1951, scientists
discovered a way to clone frog embryos, which was the first nuclear
transplant in the world. It was an important experiment because this
process is currently still being used today. Next comes Dolly the
Lamb. In 1986, Dolly the Lamb was the first cloned mammal, and adult
sheep. Which was a big step forward for the cloning technology. Like
any other experiment it had its fails, but Ian Wilmut the scientist who
was cloning Dolly, learned from his mistakes. He figured out what he
was doing wrong, and finally figured out he had to freeze the DNA
from the adult sheep, making it go into G0 phase (almost like
hibernation). When you inject that, the DNA stays the same, and from
that it creates an offspring, which means you have cloned an animal.
Scientists are continuing to work on this today, and maybe sometime
in the future human cloning’s and other objects will exist.

12. Issues related to Cloning and Genetic
Engineering
• Lots of issues are related to genetic engineering and cloning. It is more likely for a
sexually reproduced embryo to survive than a cloned embryo. A lot of studies have
shown that organisms that were born as clones have side effects and defects that
appear later in their lives. Another issue would be how the twins act, they may look
the same or identical but that doesn't mean that they always think the same or feel
the same way all time time or the same taste in something etc. An example of that
would be these two characters in the show called The Suite Life of Zac & Cody.
They are both different in many ways. One way that they are different is that Zac is
not into school at all and he always gets the girls. Cody on the other hand likes
school and is a straight A student and would care less about girls.These issues
also involve cloning/ genetic engineering of food. Some animals such as a cow for
instence has very good meat. Your probably thinking why thats bad but if the cow
had birth defects from the cloning or a disease we could have a chance or catching
it too. The Government has some part in this too because he talks about this a lot.
There are a lot more issues but I just named a couple.

13. Argument One
The whole point of having a baby is the surprise part. Imagine
knowing what your baby will look like, be like and act like
before it even comes out. In this case the whole surprise part
would be completely eliminated. Were not supposed to be
designed by scientists, your looks should be based on your
parents traits. Most people believe it’s going against nature; and
everyone will be perfect or close to it. No one will have flaws,
and as much as how good that seems, no one wants a world
with no mistakes. It will take away peoples unique qualities and
what makes you you. If the designer baby process increases,
hopefully it’s for getting rid of medical diseases rather then
changing what kids act and look like.

14. Argument 2
If babies born in the United States didn’t have diseases
or died, the population in our country would increase.
Based on the people already homeless and with out
shelter and food imagine if we used the process of
designing your baby to cure diseases at birth. The rate
of people living on the streets would go up even higher,
because from the people doing drugs and smoking in
middle school already, it only takes one mistake to ruin
your whole life. Even though it’s sad and depressing
that kids sometimes die early, it also balances out
because we don’t want the United States to become
overpopulated.

15. Argument 3
Most religious groups oppose this new technology of
designer babies, saying that people should accept the
children god created. Including the pope who spoke out
saying "In developed countries, there is a growing interest
for the most sophisticated biotechnological research to
introduce subtle and extensive eugenics methods in the
obsessive search for the 'perfect child.” Everyones perfect in
their own way, for parents to change how their child looks at
birth is selfish and they don’t really love them. They may
love the adult the child came out to be, but no one will ever
know what the child was really going to be. The way your
child looks shouldn’t effect the way you love him/her. With
picking traits you want your child to be, for example smart
or athletic may not be what your child wishes to be or
enjoys.

16. Argument 4
Designer Babies wouldn't be fair to lower class or less
fortunate people that can't afford to design their baby.
Compared to people that can afford it, they would have
perfect children superior to others that didn't get
designer scientifically before birth. The higher class
would have perfect IQ's and they can change their baby
to anything that they would like or thought was perfect
but the lower class doesn't get that. They have to put
effort into things and try hard for goals they want to
accomplish, just like a normal human being should. By
designing babies at birth it’s like having robots replacing
humans, everyone will be perfect or close to it at
whatever their parents picked when they were designed
as a baby.

17. Conclusion
The government shouldn’t sponsor and support “Designer
Babies” because we could be spending money on curing
cancers, and donating money to charities, instead of picking
babies characteristics and features.

18. Works Cited
"Human Genetics." Estrella Mountain Community College. M.J Farabee, 18 May 2010. Web. 24 Mar. 2011. <http://
www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookhumgen.html>
"What Are Complex or Multifactorial Disorders? - Genetics Home Reference." Genetics Home Reference - Your Guide to
Understanding Genetic Conditions. HONcode Standard, 20 Mar. 2011. Web. 24 Mar. 2011. <http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/
mutationsanddisorders/complexdisorders>.
Keim, Brandon. "Designer Babies: A Right to Choose? | Wired Science | Wired.com." Wired.com. 1 Apr. 2009. Web. 24 Mar.
2011. <http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/03/designerdebate>.
Gayle R., and C. Wilborn. "What Are Designer Babies?" WiseGEEK: Clear Answers for Common Questions. 2003-2011. Web.
24 Mar. 2011. <http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-designer-babies.htm>.
Ess, Amy. "Designer Babies: Trend of the Future, Page 2 of 2." Associated Content from Yahoo! - Associatedcontent.com.
Yahoo! News Network, 12 Aug. 2010. Web. 24 Mar. 2011. <http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5651982/
designer_babies_trend_of_the_future_pg2.html?cat=68>.
"Pope Speaks out against Designer Babies | Reuters." Business & Financial News, Breaking US & International News |
Reuters.com. Thomas Reuters, 24 Feb. 2007. Web. 24 Mar. 2011. <http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/02/24/us-pope-babies-
idUSL2443242520070224>.
Bartlo, Jenna. "Designer Babies: The Morality of Pursuing Perfection « News & Events « Biola University." Biola University -
A Private Christian University in Southern California. Web. 24 Mar. 2011. <http://www.biola.edu/news/articles/
2009/090828_babiesdebate.cf
""Designer Babies" Ethical? - The Early Show - CBS News." Breaking News Headlines: Business, Entertainment & World
News - CBS News. CBSnews, 3 Mar. 2009. Web. 24 Mar. 2011. <http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/03/earlyshow/
health/main4840346.shtml>.

19. Works Cited
• “History of Cloning.” ORACLE ThinkQuest, Web.
<http://library.thinquest.org/20830/Frameless/Manipulating/Expermientation/Cloning/
longdoc.htm>.
• “Primer on Ethics and Human Cloning (ActionBioscience).” ActionBioscience - Promoting
Bioscience Literacy. Web 15 March. 2011. <http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/
mcgee.html>

20. Primary Source
• http://web.mit.edu/murj/www/v12/v12-
Features/v12-f4.pdf
Video
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?
id=4840229n&tag=mncol;lst;1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1-DpvPW-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=P_UoReSgz84&feature=related