Word: trait
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...Although this capability represents a significant and laudable advance in scientific development, abuse of cosmetic trait selection has troubling social implications that need to be confronted by governments worldwide. Altering the genetic makeup of children for purely superficial purposes—rather than to avoid diseases or disorder—is ethically wrong and could give rise to a new form of discrimination...
...Additionally, the potential for social stratification inherent to the proliferation of non-medical PGD should give us even more reason to pause. PGD is prohibitively expensive—the first trait-selected baby was going to cost $18,000. The fact that PGD treatment results in a prevalence of “desirable” characteristics means that there would be visible and genetic differences between the financially well off and those whose parents could not afford PGD. If genetic makeup becomes dependent on wealth, then people’s looks will be an immediate indicator of their upbringing...
...course no secret that society is attracted to certain physical characteristics more attractive than others. Similarly, there are other markers that are indicative of financial wealth and social class without genetic differences. But trait selection is an especially dangerous practice in that it permanently brands children with characteristics that will be socially stigmatized by the very act of trait selection...
...because of public outrage, not laws, that Dr. Steinberg and his team suspended their eye and hair color selection program. The United States currently has no laws prohibiting cosmetic trait selection; Dr. Steinberg describes the field as “an uncharted road.” But now that designer babies are a very real possibility, it is important that we act now to prevent a human catastrophe rather than wait until Babies “R” Us becomes more than a brand for baby clothes...
...study in the Journal of Personality offers another theory: it is not necessarily wealth that facilitates procreation but a more basic and deeply ingrained evolutionary trait - having a Type A personality. The study finds that adolescents who say they always take charge, tell others what to do, anger quickly, get into fights easily, and walk, talk and eat fast end up having more kids than others when they grow up. That's true regardless of the kids' performance in school...