Designer Babies: When Does Gene-Editing Cross the Line?

Visual Representation of "Gene Editing" using CRISPR technology from the Kardashev Scale Wikipedia

The term “designer baby” comes from the process of genetically engineering an embryo in-vitro for the most desired traits. This procedure is used for a variety of concerns including polygenic risk screening and preventing the risk of inheriting genetic disorders. While genetic engineering has the potential to eliminate serious diseases, using designer babies for non-medical enhancements raises many ethical concerns about inequality and consent. 

How CRISPR Works

CRISPR or gene editing is a tool that acts as a “gene cutter” to change, insert, or remove DNA sequences in an embryo. This technology allows scientists to get rid of specific genetic diseases or edit more desirable traits. In the past, scientists like Hi Jiankui from China used CRISPR gene editing to edit the CCR5 gene in embryos, to provide resistance to HIV. This resulted in the first known gene-edited babies in 2018. 

Benefits of “Designer Babies”

   One of the main benefits of having a “designer baby” through IVF is the potential to prevent serious genetic diseases. Many families go this route to improve the overall quality of life of their future child. Allowing scientists to remove genetic mutations before birth, this technology could prevent lifelong illnesses which can reduce the emotional and financial burden on families. Gene editing is still a new and highly evolving technology, and more research can lead to new and improved treatments.

Ethical Concerns

Despite these benefits, genetically engineering embryos for the most desirable traits still raises many ethical concerns. This process could be incredibly beneficial for countless lives, but the process is out of many people’s budget. The cost to have a designer baby ranges from $25,000-$100,000. While CRISPR could potentially prevent many severe genetic diseases, the use of this technology is heavily restricted because there isn’t enough research yet to guarantee they won’t cause harmful side effects . Another concern for many is that an increasing number of people giving birth to embryos that were genetically modified could create a gap in society causing it to be less equal, not more. This raises the question, when do these modifications become excessive? Where should the line be drawn when parents want to prevent more than just potential diseases?

Overall, gene-editing technologies like CRISPR should be supported for their potential to prevent genetic diseases, as long as their use is carefully regulated. Rather than rejecting this technology, the focus should be on establishing clear ethical boundaries that distinguish between necessary medical interventions and purely cosmetic enhancements. CRISPR does not allow for unlimited genetic modification but instead it is a valuable tool for improving human health in the earliest stage. Gene editing can be embraced as a medical advancement without compromising ethical responsibility. 

References

CRISPR gene editing. (n.d.). Kardashev Scale Wiki. https://kardashev.fandom.com/wiki/CRISPR_gene_editing

 Scott, E., & Scott, E. (2025, October 16). Designer Babies? The Ethical and Regulatory Implications of Polygenic Embryo Screening - Petrie-Flom Center. Petrie-Flom Center - The blog of the Petrie-Flom Center at Harvard Law School. https://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2024/03/11/designer-babies-the-ethical-and-regulatory-implications-of-polygenic-embryo-screening/

Ma, Y., Zhang, L., & Qin, C. (2019). The first genetically gene‐edited babies: It’s “irresponsible and too early.” Animal Models and Experimental Medicine, 2(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1002/ame2.12052