-Barbara Stewart, New York Times (Silver, 211)

Melissa and her husband Curtis wanted to have a baby. Like any other couples that are considering parenthood, they had hopes for their unborn child. They both wanted a girl, and they wanted to name her Alice. Melissa wanted Alice to excel at music, and Curtis wanted Alice to be born with temperament and cognitive attributes that would be valuable in the business world. However, Melissa and Curtis had an advantage over other potential parents. They had the technology to make their dreams a reality.

Scientists in a laboratory harvested 84 of Melissa's eggs, and fertilized them with Curtis's sperm. The fertilized eggs developed into embryos, and were frozen at -320°F. A sample of DNA was taken from each embryo. The DNA was then analyzed to obtain the exact genetic code for all 84 of Melissa and Curtis's potential children.

The information was used to create genetic profiles for the 84 embryos. The profiles inc

luded traditional vital statistics such as sex, height, weight, hair color and texture, eye color, face shape, and feature sizes. Other categories in the profiles were Severe Single Gene Disorders; Predispositions to complex and Infectious Diseases; Physiological and Physical Characteristics; and Innate Personality and Cognitive Characteristics. The presence or absence of a particular gene could predict the likelihood of developing a disease or disorder. After reviewing the statistics, Melissa and Curtis could eliminate certain embryos that would be more likely develop into unhealthy children. They could also choose embryos that would statistically develop into children with their desired personality and cognitive Characteristics.

Who will have access to the germline therapy? With the high costs of the process, germline will be more available to wealthier people who can afford it. The philosopher Phillip Kitcher suggests that consequently, "the genetic conditions the affluent are concerned to avoid will be far more common among the poor-they will become 'lower-class' diseases, other people's problems. Interest in finding methods of treatment or for providing supportive environments for those born with the diseases may well wane." The classes will separate even further than they are separated today (Silver, 222). This lower class will not only be afflicted with disease, but they will be the ugly and the stupid. Not only will the upper class have eliminated disease, they will have a choice in what they look like and how smart they will be. In today's society, we can see the effect of cosmetic surgery. An image of the ideal man and woman has been created. Affluent celebrities are often the embodiment of this ideal. The ability to cosmetically enhance our children will enforce that ideal or perhaps create a new one that was not possible before. If a new image of perfection is created, it will be unattainable to the lower class. Unlike present times, the offspring of the rich will begin their lives in perfection. If those of the poor hope to one day achieve that perfection, they will have to wait until they are financially able to do so. However, with the stigma of their class, that may be impossible.

Today, people have both good and bad aspects of their personality, intelligence and appearance. If germline was applied, flaws would not exist, and without them, we would all be the same. Life is the way it is for a reason. People are bald, have big noses, are not good at math, are shy, and have diseases, all for a reason. Just because we do not know why, or understand why, does not

However, germline gene therapy is more controversial than somatic-cell therapy. There are those who want to use it for other reasons, like changing the appearance, personality and intelligence of their children. This is different from the story about Melissa and Curtis because these people will not only be choosing traits from genes of their own DNA, but genes from the DNA of others as well. Their children will inherit genetically altered genes. Is that right?

The rich would have more power than they do now. Genetically altered humans would rule all corporations. Most people in politics would have genetically altered DNA. The interests of enhanced humans wou

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2219
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)