Cost of Having a Designer Baby
The concept of designer babies or genetically modified babies has been a heated debate among scientists as it is a complicated process involving genetic engineering and assisted reproductive technology. This process is used to select and/or modify the genetic makeup of an unborn child. Genetic engineering allows us to select certain genes to guard against genetic diseases, and even choose desirable characteristics like intelligence or physical appearance.
When it comes to creating a designer baby, the price tag could be quite hefty. .
Despite being a controversial topic, the cost of designer babies can only be estimated as per the current market and healthcare estimation. All the data below may vary according to the countries, Hospitals, Labs, and standards of service allocated.
Following are the estimated cost of having designer babies.
| S.N | Services | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | In Vitro Fertilization | $12,000 Plus Medications |
| 2. | Add-ons for medication | $3,000 to $5,000 |
| 3. | Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis | $6,000 And $12,000 |
| 4. | Gender Selection | $18,000 |
| 5. | Sperm Banks | $250-$400 Per Specimen |
| 6. | Surrogacy | $20,000-$120,000 |
| 7. | Eggs | $50,000 |
In Vitro Fertilisation (Ivf): $12,000 Plus Medications.
Add-ons for medication: $3,000 to $5,000. (May varies)
Gender Selection may cost: $18,000 (May varies)
Sperm Banks: $250-$400 Per Specimen
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis: $6,000 And $12,000
Surrogacy: $20,000-$120,000
Eggs: $50,000
Following are the challenges of Designer Babies:
1. Risk of error
The technology and knowledge we have of genetic engineering are increasing. A Chinese scientist has successfully genetically modified a twin in 2019 and it is all uphill from here but genetic engineers are people. They are not machines and thus there is a large probability of errors in the process of designing babies. Even if everything is done correctly, we will not know what the result is of every gene combination. Alteration might therefore give rise to new diseases that the world has never seen. It has the potential to cure as well as give rise to illnesses.
2. Violation of the child’s right
If in the future one decides to engineer their child and make changes that they see fit, they will be violating their unborn baby’s right to choose. They will be taking away their child’s choice of how he/she wants to turn based on what they think is right. This sense of right and wrong may vary and taking this away will essentially take away individuality from the child. Parents will alert their child’s mental, emotional, and physical makeup by altering a machine for their use.
3. Ethical Issues
The cost of designing a baby is messing up with a natural process that has been going on since the beginning of time. Disrupting the natural process of birth and selection might cause unprecedented adversities in nature to which we have no solutions. Unique genetic makeup might cause the real world to be a science fiction-like world.
Designer babies also have moral issues like that while carrying out an abortion. Expecting parents will have plenty of choices from which only one embryo is selected. The remaining potential babies are aborted. This large objecting population against abortion might also object to designer babies.
4. Create marked division in the society
The catch of the outcomes of a designer baby is growing. This technology, however attractive, is very expensive. The cost of IVF alone is over $20000 for each try, the cost of surrogacy is $30000 to $50000 and further costs can make the cost of one designer baby some hundred thousand dollars. This makes the rich people the advantage of using this technology and getting offspring that have a higher advantage than the ones from a poor family. If parents opt for designer babies a widespread division in the quality of life between the rich and the poor will be made. The division will not only be based on wealth but the richer population will have biologically better offspring.
The other division that might occur in society is the creation of superhumans. This population will have superior power and there will be a distinction among the people biologically. Such divisions will make society a hostile environment. This is one of the major and most concerning costs of this technological opportunity’s use.
In spite of all these alarming prices we might have to pay while developing designer babies, there are advantages to this technological advancement that might make the world a better place to live in. It lights a hope to change society into a more profoundly working organization and eliminate some biological drawbacks that deteriorate the quality of life what could be better than the betterment of society?
Below listed are a few reasons that make taking the cost of using this technology worth it.
5. Know what to expect
One of the main concerns of expecting parents is whether their child is safe or not. In most cases, children born with genetic defects lead a very painful life. It is not only a burden for the family but also for the child who has to live his/her life on other’s condition. Parents who genetically modify their kids can call the shots. They make the best choices for their kids biologically.
6. Better society
The other factor that allows designer babies is altering the makeup of society. It might result in a society with higher life expectancy, better intellect, and a constantly progressing lifestyle. Genetic engineering does more than just alter disease-causing genes, it enforces the healthy genes and thus improves the overall well-being of the individual which affects the overall well-being of society as a whole.
7. Allows development in science and technology
Allowing scientists to design babies will open a new horizon for technological advancements.
The only way to advance this technology is by practicing it.
Advancement in this technology will give us a better understanding of genomes and thus open new horizons for humans to explore and understand.
Legal Issues to Consider Before Pursuing Designer Babies
Coming to the controversial part, there are a lot of legal issues surrounding the creation of designer babies.
Despite the potential benefits, using genetic engineering to create designer babies has raised ethical questions and could create an unfair divide between those who can afford it and those who cannot.
Such a future where only the wealthy have access to genetically superior children is highly concerning.
Additionally, there are valid worries over the possibility of creating a “genetically-inferior” subgroup of individuals who have not modified their genes. Furthermore, there is the fear that this technology may be used to create “ideal” babies for wealthy or high-ranking families.
However, the advantages of genetic engineering are undeniable such as; genetic diseases and disabilities can almost be eliminated, life expectancy can be increased, and the quality of life can be enhanced by selecting the best characteristics.
Although the advantages of this technology are largely speculative, designer babies have yet to receive official support from any country. This is likely due to unavoidable legal and ethical issues that would come with its proliferation.
Which Countries Allow Designer Babies, and Which Don’t?
Nevertheless, certain countries like China, Russia, and Australia are more lenient when it comes to the laws and regulations regarding genetic research and experimentation, but on the other hand, countries like the US, Canada, and UK have restrictive rules against it.
Adopting a proactive approach is essential when it comes to designer babies; the manipulation of human DNA.
As the risks are significant, one should make sure to take into account the ethical repercussions of such procedures. Being extra cautious can help prevent any untoward incidents in the future.