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Question: Is this situation ethical!?
Trudy and John are both Deaf!. This means that they can’t hear, but it also means so much more than that!. Trudy and John both value Deaf culture – its rich history and language, its cultural uniqueness, as well as their Deaf friends!. Trudy and John both feel lucky to be Deaf and feel lucky to have met each other and fallen in love!. Now it is time for them to start having children!.
The couple is worried about having a hearing child!. On a practical level, a hearing child would not develop normal speech in Trudy and John’s household, where they couple only uses sign!. On a spiritual level, Trudy and John are worried that a hearing baby would not really fit in to their lives as well as a Deaf baby would!.
Trudy and John decide to use pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)!. Instead of getting pregnant ‘the old fashioned way’ Trudy and John will use in vitro fertilization (IVF) to match their extracted ovum and sperm, making frozen embryos!. Those resulting embryos will be screened with PGD!. Only embryos that have the genetic “defect” of deafness will be implanted, and if a pregnancy happens, Trudy and John’s resulting baby will certainly be Deaf, just as they always hoped!.
You are the genetics counselor that works at the fertility clinic!. Most people who come to you use IVF and PGD to screen out embryos with disease or disability!. Trudy and John have just told you they want to use IVF and PGD to screen in a disability!. Should you co-operate with Trudy and John’s plans!?
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Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
its not ethical!. its quite selfish really!. the couple wants the child to fit in with them but in all reality the kid wouldnt fit in with the rest of the world!. so they would be sacraficing their childs social and mental health just so they would have another deaf friend/family member to relate to!. its not like they want a blonde baby, there are serious and real disadvantages to being deaf!. safety is compromised!. just think of driving without being able to hear a properly used car horn!. so ya i would disagree with the couple!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
What's best for them isn't what's best for the baby!. They are being selfish, and need to do what's best for the child, not for them!. Www@QuestionHome@Com
As the world is already overpopulated with humans, I do not believe that it is ethical for ANYONE to use IVF to produce more humans!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
no, "designer babies" are not an ethical option
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Hmm, I think it's not unlike when someone uses IVF to get a non-handicapped child because Trudy and John perceive deafness more like an advantage than a handicap!.
I think generally to try to get a healthy child is mostly a selfish wish!. Because I believe it would be more morally right when you gave anyone, however disabled, a chance to live!. The only exception is when a child will be suffering extremely himself during his life!.
I do think the highest moral standard is that you prefer the well being of others above your own!. But that's not the same as condemning the ones that choose for their own good!. The burden can very well be felt too big for not trying to have a healthy child (that's not the same as not loving it when it is born)!.
In this way I can understand the wish of Trudy and John since they would be happier with a child that's more like them!. The whole point pivots around the question how much selfishness I would find acceptable being a doctor!. Intuitively I would say no: this selfishness might backfire too much on the child: it can be very disturbing to find out that your parents did not want you to be healthy!.
But I could understand a doctor to judge otherwise Www@QuestionHome@Com