Genetically Engineered Babies: Good Or Bad Idea?

20 February 2013
Richard Rende

Would you want the option of harnessing the power of genetics to alter the DNA of your unborn child? Would you want this to prevent disease? Select physical characteristics. Or design your baby by changing the genetic code?

Such was the topic of an Open to Debate formerly known as Intelligence Squared U.S. debate held in New York City on February 13. Two experts argued that genetic engineering should be banned; two experts argued that it should be supported. The audience of which I was a part had a chance to vote both before, and after, the arguments were made.