If you could modify your children to be genetically perfect would you?

Hi Vandana, I am mildly on the autism spectrum. I have 'mild' Aspergers. It mostly affects me in the real world, so if you were to see me there you would see someone pretty much the opposite of the person on mylot since I am terrible shy and quiet so all my big ideas never get voiced. It is why I like being online so much, it gives me the life I don't have outside I don't think the DNA changing would change feelings...I hope it wouldn't anyway . I don't think the scientists wanted to increase the length of chromosomes, It seemed more about taking one thing out you didn't want, and replacing it with something better, it was a while ago though so I am not sure! I like your answer, though it would be interesting to imagine humans with a different composition...creepy, I am imagining us looking like the classic image of aliens lol Should I watch something else about this I will let you know Dranz

Oops! Sorry Dranz about autism. U r a person I could get along very well with. I dont know if I am autistic or not. But u do know that I hesitate to discuss my ideas openly for the fear of being ridiculed. And generally, even when I think there is something wrong being uttered or said, I dont really voice my opinions, as the person who is doing wrong or uttering wrong is almost always in better position to express or has longer associations with others and therefore, it would be difficult for their friends or relatives to support my reasoning. That does not amount to shyness, I think. That amounts to being pragmatic I suppose. But I've been labeled as shy as well, and consistent and extreme provocation from some bullies has prompted me to open up at times. I have not been a favorite at such times. However, I am very tardy! So there u are, I am quite a flawed piece, aint I? Yeah taking out what u dont want may not be possible - that is what I am trying to tell u! U c genes react collectively in some ways. Even though, say the characteristics of ur eyes is represented by one set of genes, the same gene or part of it may also be assisting in some other function! Just imagine a long ladder if 1,2,and 3 are responsible for giving u the color of ur eyes, then 3 part of the gene may be responsible for triggering 4, 5,and 6 to control ur muscular movements near ur eyes! Replacing 3 would mean disturb that, unless what is inserted can trigger 4,5,6! And whatever it is, may give undesirable characteristics! So looking like aliens is impossible! Researchers are well aware that such attempts can bring in something like the alien of Sigourney Weaver's movies. Or even result in a Frankenstein. Therefore, they are hardly likely to tamper to that extent! I came across a study in this field that seemed to suggest that may be genes are not confined to chromosomes, and that some of the characteristics that are inherited are floating freely in the cell's cytoplasm! If this is true, such attempts of researchers are just pushed back by almost 20 years! I wouldnt be surprised if they discover that different rungs of the ladder also have individual functions, while collectively they give some characteristics. These individual functions may be expressed or suppressed by individual functions of other such rungs. Therefore, if researchers attempt to replace one characteristic - or gene - which is a collection of such rungs on the chromosome ladder, there could be other problems! I doubt if anybody would be interested in taking that risk! It could result in some freak! Dont worry, our scientists would want something that would devour them or their families. :) Its a different issue, if people let computers do the research for them. :-)

Hi Vandana, Goodness, I was thinking more of the little grey men when I mentioned aliens We would have to go to LV426 to get the other ones (which I hope no one ever does lol). I am a huge fan of those movies. The bit you said about the ladder made sense, though I guess I had always imagined it would be a fairly easy process to take something out and replace it would something the same, especially with eye colour. You just have to pick the blue instead of green one I would think. With strength and the elements in that you would have a harder job since that would most certainly be interconnected with other things. I am getting quite interested in this idea now and whether it would be possible. if I ever see another program about this on TV I am definitely watching it now lol! I would only ever say anything to bullies if I was really provoked or in a bad mood, or if I thought they were weaker than me. I have a fiery temper which I don't mind unleashing if I think I can win, in another other forms I am very quiet and un-dangerous lol! You didn't sound too autistic from your description, there is generally more to it than just not expressing your ideas for fear of ridicule. I was only ever diagnosed because I ended up really depressed and got a counsellor who knew Aspergers through a family member, and told me to get screened for it. I didn't even know what it was till I met her lol. I just thought I had a Personality Disorder or Social Anxiety (shows how much good my research is lol!). If you ever got diagnosed though it would be neat to get to know you on that level. I have never really got along with other Aspergers sufferers, probably because we are too alike and our personalities just clash, so there is still a lot I would want to learn from someone else on the spectrum lol! All the best, Dranz

Hi Dranz, I remembered the name of the Nazi experiments I mentioned, it is 'Lebensborn'. It's aim was to produce a super race of blue eyed blonds. All it did was create a lot of unhappy stigmatised children.

Hi thea, Wow, I can't begin to imagine what it must have been like for those children, or their parents to know they were born as part of that. You truly taught me something today (and yesterday when I read the first part). Many thanks for sing your knowledge . Dranz

Hi thea, Wow I never knew that the Germans impregnated women who had German features just to pass the features on to the future generation. I am amazed. I guess the idea of perfection in this is a person who is physically strong, never gets ill, and is really smart. I wasn't thinking in terms of looks and things like that, the program never mentioned that sort of stuff (maybe because they had thought of the Nazi angle which I completely missed!) Amazing answer though, and I am glad to hear that you are proud of your child for who he is as well Dranz

I agree with you. It seems hard to mold them into perfection. It is best that parents just guide them.

Hi Au_dawn, I also can't imagine a future with perfect people in it, it just seems really odd ! I hope that your children develop as you wish and achieve their full, natural potential with your help Many thanks for the response, Dranz

Hi Machizmo, I am probably really ignorant to have to ask this, but what is a Tower of Babel? It is something from the bible right? Could you tell me the whole story? I am curious now. I like the idea that making someone perfect would just render their mind tormented, I haven't thought of this from that angle before, but it is right. If everyone were perfect none of them would probably be happy. As for the 'normal' people in this. I can see wars and things like that as they hate the perfect ones and visa versa...not a nice idea really Hopefully it will never happy. Many thanks for the response Dranz

Hello my friend What time is it where you are? its 6'43 here I been up since a little after 3 I had a bad dream lol My daughter is really great, sometimes we have to take the good with the bad,mat least she waited till she was grown lol, and things could be worse, we have more good days then bad, two virgos are really hard to live with, in time we will be a part noting will change the fact that she will always be number 1 in my book. You have a great weekend as well my friend. Thank you.

Hi Kitty, It would have been about 11AM when I posted that, I think you are 5 hours behind me which is good as I can remember that. The other Americans I knew used to be 5 hours behind as well so it is my default American time sothe 7 hour ones confuse me lol I am getting curious about your dreams now, you mentioned a little in your Digest post about your family rushing around or something. Could I know more about that or would that seem too odd? I like hearing about people's dreams, even if I rarely understand their meanings lol. I do hope that your future nights are full of good rest though ~ Hugs ~ Dranz

Hi Kitty , Aww that is fantastic that you feel so close to your daughter and wouldn't change her despite everything living together brings out lol. I hope those feelings stay there forever, and many thanks for sharing Hope your having an awesome weekend Dranz

Hi Mrseharper, Wow what an answer, I thought this was fantastic. I really liked the idea that even if we made people 'perfect' God would find a way to make the person imperfect anyway. I have never thought of that when asking this question but it is a very good point. I don't think that humans are meant to be perfect either, and I definitely don't believe that we should be. Many, many thanks for sharing and I am delighted to know that you liked the question too All the best, Dranz

Hi Ramesh, Wow I hope your children are able to live up to your goals for them in the future and are successful Many thanks fro sharing Dranz

Hi Madelaine, I definitely agree with you in this. Imperfections are definitely what makes people, people. Many thanks for the response, Dranz

Hi Douzou, Wow in a few sentences you have captured a really good idea. I like how you said this and you are right, perfection by its very nature is imperfect. Fantastic idea. Many thanks for the response, Dranz

Hi Jules, That is a really good answer. It would be horrible to think what knowing their parents moulded them in the womb, would do to a child, whether they would come to hate their parents or not . I definitely will want to stick with the guidance and love method of child rearing. Many thanks for your answer Dranz

Hi Sredith, What sorts of traits would you like to give your children if you were able to? I am glad to hear that you wouldn't change them completely Many thanks for the response, Dranz

Hi Sybraton, I have to admit, when you said you wanted to increase lifespan I was worried until I read it was only to see the child live long enough to be a grandparent. That sounds like a really nice thing to do for someone. I definitely wouldn't want everyone perfect though, I think it would ruin everything, or even having just one person like that since, as you said, it takes away competition. Many thanks for the answer Dranz