TWC class this week focused on the BioBusiness development and its implications. The increasing affluence of countries have led to better healthcare systems, bringing about benefits such as lower mortality rate and higher life expectancy. This has also led to contentious issues in the pursuit of a perceived better life.

The issue of designer babies was hotly debated in class and the general consensus was that if it were for health reasons, such as altering a particular offending gene causing deformities in a baby, genetic engineering would be acceptable. It is less agreed upon as to whether parents should have the autonomy to alter genes to create intelligent, exceptional babies who will have an edge over others in life. Aside from the erosion of the notion of “perfection”, I believe that like many other medical innovations, it would marginalise the poor, those who can least afford such a luxury.

Being born to affluent parents is an advantage in life as one will have more resources to supplement one’s education with additional materials and develop into a more holistic individual through the pursuit of recreational activities. An expensive procedure such as alteration of genes in foetus can only be afforded by the wealthy, or perhaps the middle-class. Offsprings from more affluent backgrounds already with an advantage to succeed in life, will be greater enhanced by genetically altered superior traits. While I do not mean to say (nor believe) that the poor have no chance of success in life, it will diminish the poor’s chances of social mobility.

Further, I am concerned with the social implications of genetically altered traits. How will children who find out later in life that their prowess in academics, sports or any other niche area was actually genetically created feel? Certainly, some may thank their parents for going through a procedure, but certain questions may be raised. What could have become of them if they were left as they were conceived, born natural? Was their success (assuming they succeed) contingent upon their altered genes? Would they have been able enough to succeed with their original traits? Some may lapse into an identity crisis.

In addition, I would like to explore a little on the topic of surrogacy. It is most commonly used for infertile couples or homosexual couples. On the other hand, it is a growing business as aspiring mothers do not wish to go through the hassle of child birth, preferring to outsource the process. This is a contentious issue due to the possibility of the exploitation of the poor as it is a rather profitable venture to the poor. Further, will the mother feel the same affection towards a baby developed and born in another woman’s womb than if she did it herself? Similarly, will the baby feel the same affection towards his/her mother had he/she been born in her womb? Research has shown that there is a more positive mother-child interaction in naturally conceived families, suggesting that there could be a significance in the gestation period in fostering the relationship.