Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: notesfiles - hp 1.2 08/01/83; site hp-pcd.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!bellcore!decvax!genrad!mit-eddie!godot!harvard!seismo!hao!hplabs!hp-pcd!daver
From: daver@hp-pcd.UUCP (daver)
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Re: A Chance to Help
Message-ID: <4300016@hp-pcd.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 18-Jan-85 21:31:00 EST
Article-I.D.: hp-pcd.4300016
Posted: Fri Jan 18 21:31:00 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 8-Jan-85 03:07:17 EST
References: <96@decwrl.UUCP>
Organization: Hewlett-Packard - Corvallis, OR
Lines: 39
Nf-ID: #R:decwrl:-9600:hpcvrd:4300016:000:1655
Nf-From: hpcvrd!daver    Jan  3 18:31:00 1985

>Question:  Which way would you like prefer to deal with Birth Defects?
>
>       A. Prevent them by killing babies with defects in the womb or after
>          they are born?
>
>       B. Prevent them by curing them, or preventing the defects from
>          ocurring in the first place?

This raises some major questions.  Down's Syndrome is only one of many birth
defects which could be corrected using genome modification methods discussed 
here.  How would "birth defect" be defined:  

    Is an IQ less than 80 (excuse the term IQ - substitute any other you 
    would prefer) considered a birth defect?  
    
    How about an IQ below 160?  
    
It should be possible to correct either situation, if at least some portion of
intelligence is genetic.  

    What about a big nose (or small breasts - see net.singles)?  People are 
    "correcting" these "birth defects" through surgery today; why not correct 
    them genetically in the future?  It could even breed true!

    If you are a basketball fan you could ensure that all your children (sons 
    of course) are seven feet tall (on the other hand, seven feet may not be
    tall enough in that case).  
    
Anyone could give birth to blond-haired blue-eyed offspring with any complexion
they wanted; every man could look like Robert Redford and every woman like 
Cheryl Tiegs.  After all, looks are important and substandard appearance is a 
"birth defect".

While curing Down's Syndrome is a worthwhile effort the research cannot be
considered in isolation.  We should start thinking about the answers to these
questions while we still have time.

Dave Rabinowitz
hplabs!hp-pcd!daver