Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Should genetically modifying babies be legal?
Position1 of 2›
Yes, genetically modifying babies should be legal
Argument‹2 of 3›

The procedure would allow people with transferable illnesses to have biological children

Through prohibiting genetic modification of babies, policymakers prevent individuals from experiencing parenthood

The argument

For individuals suffering from mitochondrial diseases, having children often comes with the fear of passing on their illness. The genetic modification of babies could allow these people to have biological children without fear. Through mitochondrial replacement therapy, a woman's ill mitochondria can be replaced with a healthy one, allowing these women to have biological children with peace of mind. Although mitochondrial illnesses get the most attention, the procedure could prevent couples from passing on other serious genetic diseases. The genetic modification of babies could allow more couples to experience the joy of parenting and should be allowed for this reason.

Premises

[P1]People with mitochondrial diseases often fear passing their illness on to their biological children. [P2] Mitochondrial replacement therapy can swap a woman's faulty mitochondria for healthy ones, letting her have biological children without that fear. [P3] The same approach could prevent the transmission of other serious genetic diseases, letting more couples experience the joy of parenting. [C] Therefore, because the procedure would allow people with transferable illnesses to have biological children, genetically modifying babies should be legal.

Counter-arguments

Allowing mitochondrial genetic modification would help only a small number of women conceive biological children. There are other, less risky ways of helping couples with health issues to have children without fear.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] There are safer ways for couples to have children.