Technology has allowed for many new advancements in the hopes of improving our everyday lives. Genetic testing is one of these new advancements. Genetic testing includes several different methods such as the genetic screening of newborns, prenatal testing, and designer babies. Most of these methods gear towards the understanding of a person's genetics and/or alterations of their genes. They also entail the determination of certain characteristics of an individual. Some of these characteristics can include whether or not a person is the carrier of a genetic disease. Similarly, this new technology of designer babies allows for the enhancing and/or customization of genes. It is truly frightening that just a short time ago the idea of designer babies was science fiction and it now is a reality prospective parents must consider when planning for a child. The ability to choose the characteristics of an unborn human being seems unnatural, but is this so only because it is not something society is accustom to, or is it because it is unethical? Do the benefits outweigh the detriments? In a world where it is survival of the fittest, and technological innovation continually grows, it is difficult to see the bad in all of it. However, it is apparent that many unethical factors go hand in hand with these new types of genetic testing. In newborn screening and prenatal testing it is evident that early treatment will pose beneficial for the treatment and detection of diseases; however, what happens in the case of an incurable disease? Furthermore, designer babies and its increasing popularity may be short lived as the notion of eugenics is further examined. It is certain that with the implementation of these new unethical and unnatural advancements the loss of a life, the agony, and the belligerency which accompanies it will prove detrimental to our world.
There are many different types of newly discovered genetic testing methods ranging from general genetic screening, embryonic screening, and designer babies.