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THE IDEA AND THE THOUGHT ON DESIGNER BABY

Arranged by :

Abdi Naba Aziz (01)

Annisa Asdriani (07)
Arsi Noorika Laksmi (10)
Ary Sofyan (11)
Citra Pinasti R. (12)
Robet Anggoro S. (31)
Yoga Andhika (35)

PROGAM STUDI D-III ADMINISTRASI PERPAJAKAN

JURUSAN PERPAJAKAN

POLITEKNIK KEUANGAN NEGARA STAN

Jalan Bintaro Utama Sektor V, Jurang Mangu Timur, Pondok Aren, Kota Tangerang Selatan, Banten 15222
 The Idea and The Thought on Designer Baby
Second Group
D-III Administrasi Perpajakan, Jurusan Perpajakan, Politeknik Keuangan Negara STAN
(Jl. Bintaro Utama Sektor V, Bintaro Jaya, Kota Tangerang Selatan, Banten 15222)

Abstract
Have you ever wondered if it is possible to genetically engineer Designer Babies? Can
parents today make choices for their pre-born children regarding certain traits? Actually, there is
a medical procedure available that is a kind of first-step in this direction. Other leading
scientists and bioethicists argue it is time for a serious public debate on the issue. Designer babies
- genetically modified for beauty, intelligence or to be free of disease - have long been a topic of
science fiction. But is it ethical to edit your baby? The answer of this question is still in debate.
Whether its from the society or scientist.

1. Introduction

Background

Dozens of books and movies detail a future in which eugenics, in some sneaky form
or another, takes over society. A master class decides which traits are desirable and slowly
begins to weed out individuality, flaws, and free thought. It may have seemed like an
impossible dystopian future for many of the writers who imagined it decades ago, but today
reproductive and genetic technology have made such a future a very real fear for many.
The fear of designer babies may be real, but not everything people believe about them is
true. Even the term designer baby insinuates vanity, suggesting a process in which couples
can pick out traits for their child as easily as if they were choosing fabric samples for their
home and removing entire traits or disabilities from the population. The reality behind such
children is far from that flippant scenario, however: Here are four of the most common
beliefs about designer babies, and how accurate they actually are.

Main Topic

Creating designer babies who are free from disease and super athletic or smart may
finally be around the corner. But American society hasn't fully thought out the ethical
implications for the future of baby making or policies to regulate these techniques, an
ethicist argues in an article published today (March 13) in the journal Science. "We're on
the cusp of having much more information, and the appearance of having much greater
discretion, in choosing the traits of our children," said article author Thomas H. Murray, a
bioethicist at the Hastings Center, a nonprofit research center in Garrison, N.Y. People also
 need to think about what parents and doctors will do with the technology, he said. "What
use will they make of it, and should there be limits?"

In fact, in February, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) met to consider
conducting clinical trials to test out genetic manipulation techniques to prevent
mitochondrial disease from occurring in offspring.

2. Fundamental

a. Designer Baby

A designer baby is a baby genetically engineered in vitro for specially selected traits, which
can vary from lowered disease-risk to gender selection. Before the advent of genetic
engineering and in vitro fertilization (IVF), designer babies were primarily a science fiction
concept. However, the rapid advancement of technology before and after the turn of the
twenty-first century makes designer babies an increasingly real possibility. As a result,
designer babies have become an important topic in bioethical debates, and in 2004 the term
designer baby even became an official entry in the Oxford English Dictionary. Designer
babies represent an area within embryology that has not yet become a practical reality, but
nonetheless draws out ethical concerns about whether or not it will become necessary to
implement limitations regarding designer babies in the future.

The prospect of engineering a child with specific traits is not far-fetched. IVF has
become an increasingly common procedure to help couples with infertility problems
conceive children, and the practice of IVF confers the ability to pre-select embryos before
implantation. For example, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) allows viable
embryos to be screened for various genetic traits, such as sex-linked diseases, before
implanting them in the mother. Through PGD, physicians can select embryos that are not
predisposed to certain genetic conditions. For this reason, PGD is commonly used in
medicine when parents carry genes that place their children at risk for serious diseases such
as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia. Present technological capabilities point to PGD as
the likely method for selecting traits, since scientists have not established a reliable means
of in vivo embryonic gene selection.

b. Historical Background
In the mid-1990s, Jacques Cohen, an embryologist, came up with an innovative and
promising new technique which would help infertile women to have children. Cytoplasmic
transfer, the technique he created, aimed at rescuing the eggs of those infertile women
who had undergone many unsuccessful attempts at IVF. The technique involved injecting
the cytoplasm found in the eggs of a fertile donor, into the patients eggs. (Shannon, 2002)
In 1997, the first baby conceived by this process was born. At that point in time, the media
proclaimed Cohens technique to be a technological miracle.
 Four years later, in 2003, Cohen and his colleagues at the Institute for Reproductive
Medicine and Science of St. Barnabas, a New Jersey fertility clinic, again made the news.
They published a paper describing the genetic condition of two out of the seventeen babies
born through the process of cytoplasmic transfer, in the clinic. They reported that they had
endowed the babies with bits of a special type of genetic material, known as mitochondrial
DNA, or mtDNA, which came with the cytoplasm transferred from the donor eggs to the
patients. (Shannon, 2002) This meant that babies born actually had three genetic parents
the mother, the father and the mtDNA donor. Thus, they had created the first
bioengineered children. (Shannon, 2002)
c. First Designer Baby
In the mid-1990s, Jacques Cohen, an embryologist, came up with an innovative and
promising new technique which would help infertile women to have children. Cytoplasmic
transfer, the technique he created, aimed at rescuing the eggs of those infertile women
who had undergone many unsuccessful attempts at IVF. The technique involved injecting
the cytoplasm found in the eggs of a fertile donor, into the patients eggs. (Shannon, 2002)
In 1997, the first baby conceived by this process was born. At that point in time, the media
proclaimed Cohens technique to be a technological miracle.
Four years later, in 2003, Cohen and his colleagues at the Institute for Reproductive
Medicine and Science of St. Barnabas, a New Jersey fertility clinic, again made the news.
They published a paper describing the genetic condition of two out of the seventeen babies
born through the process of cytoplasmic transfer, in the clinic. They reported that they had
endowed the babies with bits of a special type of genetic material, known as mitochondrial
DNA, or mtDNA, which came with the cytoplasm transferred from the donor eggs to the
patients. (Shannon, 2002) This meant that babies born actually had three genetic parents
the mother, the father and the mtDNA donor. Thus, they had created the first
bioengineered children. (Shannon, 2002)

d. Gene

A gene is the basic physical and functional unit of heredity. Genes, which are made
up of DNA, act as instructions to make molecules called proteins. In humans, genes vary
in size from a few hundred DNA bases to more than 2 million bases. The Human Genome
Project has estimated that humans have between 20,000 and 25,000 genes.
Every person has two copies of each gene, one inherited from each parent. Most
genes are the same in all people, but a small number of genes (less than 1 percent of the
total) are slightly different between people. Alleles are forms of the same gene with small
differences in their sequence of DNA bases. These small differences contribute to each
persons unique physical features.
 A gene is a locus (or region) of DNA which is made up of nucleotides and is the
molecular unit of heredity. The transmission of genes to an organism's offspring is the basis
of the inheritance of phenotypic traits. Most biological traits are under the influence of
polygenes (many different genes) as well as the geneenvironment interactions. Some
genetic traits are instantly visible, such as eye colour or number of limbs, and some are not,
such as blood type, risk for specific diseases, or the thousands of basic biochemical
processes that comprise life.
Genes can acquire mutations in their sequence, leading to different variants, known
as alleles, in the population. These alleles encode slightly different versions of a protein,
which cause different phenotype traits. Colloquial usage of the term "having a gene" (e.g.,
"good genes," "hair colour gene") typically refers to having a different allele of the gene.
Genes evolve due to natural selection or survival of the fittest of the alleles.

Genome editing, or genome editing with engineered nucleases (GEEN) is a type of

genetic engineering in which DNA is inserted, deleted or replaced in the genome of an
organism using engineered nucleases, or "molecular scissors." These nucleases create site-
specific double-strand breaks (DSBs) at desired locations in the genome. The induced
double-strand breaks are repaired through nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) or
homologous recombination (HR), resulting in targeted mutations ('edits').

There are currently four families of engineered nucleases being used:

meganucleases, zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector-based
nucleases (TALEN), and the CRISPR-Cas system.

A common approach in modern biological research is to modify the DNA sequence

(genotype) of an organism (or a single cell) and observe the impact of this change on the
organism (phenotype). This approach is called reverse genetics and its significance for
modern biology lies in its relative simplicity. This method contrasts with that of forward
genetics, where a new phenotype is first observed and then its genetic basis is studied. This
course is more complex because phenotypic changes are often a result of multiple genetic
interactions.
Among the key requirements of reverse genetic analysis is the ability to modify the
DNA sequence of the target organism. This can be achieved by:
1. site-directed mutagenesis employing either phage- or polymerase chain reaction
(PCR)-mediated methods and oligonucleotides containing the desired mutation.
These methods are most useful in organisms with straightforward methods for the
introduction and selection of genes of interest, such as bacteria and yeast.
2. recombination based methods that utilize the natural ability of cells to exchange
DNA between its own genetic information and an exogenous DNA. These methods
have been made possible in yeast and mice.
 These approaches have several drawbacks:

PCR- and phage-mediated approaches are less successful in more complex

organisms such as mammals, where delivery becomes more difficult.
They also require stringent selection steps and thus the addition of selection-
specific sequences, along with those incorporated into the DNA.
Recombination-based methods can be quite inefficient - e.g. in mouse
embryonic stem cells treated with donor DNA, only 1 in a million DNA
molecules was incorporated at the desired position.

The use of other mutagenic techniques (such as P-element transgenesis in

Drosophila) also has limitations, the major one being the randomness of incorporation and
the possibility of affecting other genes and expression patterns.

Hence, genome editing with engineered nucleases is a promising new approach.

Thisrapidly evolving technology overcomes these shortcomings and uses relatively simple
concepts.

e. Example of Gen Engineering

Cloning - One of the most controversial uses of genetic engineering has been
cloning, or producing a genetically identical copy of an organism. While the ethics of
cloning are hotly debated, the first ever sheep (named Dolly) was cloned in 1996 by
scientists.
 Glow-in-the-dark cats - It sounds strange, but in 2007, scientists in South Korea
altered the DNA of a kitty so that its fur would glow in the dark, and then cloned other cats
from it, making the worlds first glowing cats.

Golden rice - Genetic modification is often used to make "healthier" foods, such as
golden rice, which contains beta-carotene the very same vitamin that makes carrots
orange. The result is that people without access to many vitamins will get a healthy dose
of vitamin A when the rice is consumed.

Faster-growing trees - Demand for wood can be met by trees that grow faster than
average. Genetic engineering has produced trees that can ward off biological attacks, grow
more quickly and strongly, and create better wood than trees that are not genetically
modified.
 Bigger, longer-lasting tomatoes - When tomatoes are genetically engineered, they
can be made bigger and more robust. These are engineered to produce tomatoes that can
remain fresh for longer, can be shipped farther from where they are grown, and can be
harvested all at the same time rather than harvesting only parts of a field at each harvest.

Salmon that grow faster - Salmon do not produce growth hormones year-round, so
scientists have looked toward genetic engineering and found a solution: a modification that
allows salmon to grow twice as fast than those that are not engineered.

Insecticide corn - Instead of spraying insecticide on plants, why not genetically

engineer crops that kill pests on their own? Corn was developed through genetic
engineering to produce a poison that kills insects. While this corn may also harm beneficial
insects such as butterflies, supporters say that the pros outweigh the cons.
f. Statistic

This map shows where researchers might design the first genetically engineered baby
When a group of scientists at Sun Yat-sen University in China announced in April
2015 that they'd edited the genes of human embryos, the world was shocked. We knew that
the gene editing tools that would make it possible to change human DNA and even create
"designer babies" existed, but until then, no one had tested them on human embryos.
One of the biggest shocks for many researchers was actually that the first research
team to do this work did it without using the most accurate, latest tools some researchers
felt they could have done that same work more successfully. Some groups began
advocating for the right to conduct similar experiments, and one group from London's
Francis Crick Institute requested permission to work with human embryos.
Many countries have outright bans on editing human embryos, but in other cases,
the rules aren't so clearly defined. Even when they are, those rules are rarely legally
binding.
In 2014, Motoko Araki and Tetsuya Ishii of Hokkaido University in Japan analyzed
the rules on human embryo editing in 39 countries around the world. Here's what they
found:
g. Saviour Sibling Case

Saviour siblings are children who with respect to their suitability as a blood or tissue
donor are able to help out an older sibling with their treatment. As the parents are not
suitable as donors due to wanting HLA compatibility, the embryo with the highest genetic
congruence with the ill child gets implanted after an in vitro fertilisation via PGD. After
giving birth the stem cells of the cord blood or the bone marrow of the new born shall help
the ill sibling. This Program was also included in designer baby because we can choose
which gen should be on someone and which gen that is to be disposed to get a gene that
free will disease.
In March 2003 the first saviour sibling was born. At that time it was supposed to
rescue the life of the four-year-old ill brother, who was urgently in need of blood stem
cells. The parents received the PGD in the USA at that time to evade legal problems in
their home country. Meanwhile Great Britain relaxed the regulations in this respect. In
Sweden the application of PGD in order to produce saviour siblings is also permitted. In
Spain in October 2008 the first baby generated this way was born. The brother of this child
suffers from a genetic blood disease. As early as seven weeks after the ill child received
stem cells from the cord blood of the newborn, the first successful results could be
observed. The doctors report that the seven-year-old boy has almost overcome his illness.
3. Conclusion
Argument

1. Termination of embryos
Termination of embryos is an action in order to stop gestation within death
and taking out the embryo whether using drugs or tools in time less than 20 weeks.
Of course, that action is breaking the law and be done illegally
2. Could create gap in society
If designer baby is allowed, There will be significant gap in our society. We
can see extreme different between smart baby and fool baby. Many Indonesian will
have a blonde hair or many parents want their baby have a white skin like American.
Its not only make a gap between baby resulted by designer baby and baby without
it, but also it can make a nation lose its character.
3. Baby has no choice in the matter
Every person in this world have a right to choose what person he want to be
like. Its different with a designer baby, cause a baby dont have it. The baby is
designed to be like their parents want. Example, if parents want their baby smart in
mathematics, The baby cant do good in art.
4. Genes have more than one use
As we know, Gene not only bring one thing in itself. It brings many thing.
In example, gene bring intelligence can also bring emotion like angry or any else.
If Parents design their baby have a high intelligence, it will cause the baby have a
bad temper.
5. Genetic are not perfect
People born in this world have completed modal. When they was born,
every single person was in same condition and start to evolve be a good personality
in their own vision. If someone create a modals that God have given to us, it will
be not balance. What is the matter? Imagine if every parents only think that
intelligence is the most important for their baby. They will accept to lose a potential
of emotion that should be had by every person in this world.
6. Only the rich can afford it.
Designer baby need a lot of money. It can only be done by rich family. It is
very not fair especially to the poor family. Should a family can design anything and
the poor one cant have any chance to do something good? Is it fair if all of scientist
come from rich family and poor boy can only be a cleaning service?
We really do not agree with Designer baby program. Its not only have
many negative effect but also not fair. We all have the best designer in universe.
God has gave us a brain. Do you know the potential of our brain? Albert Einstein,
 smartest person in 20th century, only use 6% of maximum brain potential. If parents
want their children be a smart one, the should give them a good education cause it
will be useless when you have 100 potential but they can only use 1 potential. Some
person in this world very good in emotion. Even they can read others physchology
in seconds. They can be a good psychologist. Some person have a good touch in
art. They can make something beautiful with their hand. They are a good artist.
World is still exist cause there are still many various type of everything. Something
more are completing something less. God create us in best form but remember that
we are not perfect. Because God want us to make relation to each other. We are
part of society, we have to give what we can give to society and society will give
what we dont have. That is how this world work. Design baby doesnt reach that
point. Its only designed to give what parents want but not what this world need.
Final Tought

Finally, after many years, the genie is officially out of the bottle. The
designer baby revolution is out there. There is no stopping it. Even if some countries
try to clamp this down by imposing restrictions and regulations, other countries will
allow it. Progress, if we call it that, will continue unabated. However, genetic
engineering is not something to be played around with. Any mistake in this process
can alter the lives of many future generations. A new mutation could lead to a new
virus or a disease, affecting the entire population. But if this process is regulated,
and is used for the right reasons, then genetic engineering could change the lives of
people forever. The concept of disease would not exist, and people would not have
to suffer anymore. The scope of genetic engineering, especially designer babies is
very large, and a lot of innovation will be seen in the field in the years to come.

4. References

Agar, Nicholas. American Institute of Biological Sciences. Designer Babies: Ethical

Considerations,http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/agar.html (Accessed
October 16, 2010).
Annas, George. Noninvasive Prenatal Diagnostic Technology: Medical, Market,
or Regulatory Model? Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 721 (1994):
2628.
Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs, American Medical Association. Ethical
Issues Related to Prenatal Genetic Testing, Archives of Family Medicine 3
(1994): 63342.
Kitcher, Philip. Creating Perfect People. In Companion to Genetics, eds. Justine
Burley and John Harris, 22942. Boston: Blackwell Publishing, 2004.
Lemonick, Michael. Designer Babies. 153, Time Magazine, January 11, 1999.
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Gender.http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/11/06/earlyshow/contributors/emilysena
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Verlinsky, Yuri. Designing Babies: What the Future Holds, Reproductive

BioMedicine Online 10 (2005): 246.

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