The Human Brain
Cloning
Robots
Nanotechnology
Gene Selection

 

Gene Selection

Chance or choice?
For millions of years humans have reproduced through the mating of male and female, resulting in the union of sperm and egg. This way the genetic make-up of a child is left to chance. Today, technology has given humans more options. Soon we will have the tools to reduce the chance factor, allowing parents to choose some of the traits of a child
.




Choosing the traits
If you had a serious genetic disorder, you might not want to pass the gene for that trait to your children. If you knew what each gene controlled and could choose which genes to pass on, would you control only disease-carrying genes? What about selecting genes for eye-color or muscle mass or intelligence? In the future parents may be able to choose many of a child's genetic traits.



Pros & Cons

You might not want to pass a genetic disease on to your children. However, if you could choose one trait, why not choose all of the traits of your child?

¨ Should we allow the selection of genes to eliminate diseases or disorders?
¨ If you could select your child's sex, would you choose a boy or a girl? Why?
¨ Should we allow the selection of genes to make "perfect" children?

Can you think of other issues? How do you think our ability to select genes will impact the future of human evolution?


National Science Foundation
© 2001 San Diego Museum of Man
1350 El Prado, Balboa Park I San Diego, CA 92101 I (619) 239-2001
San Diego Museum Of Man