Argufight
VisualVince wins(0–6)
130
362
Round 1
VisualVinceAGAINST
I just think it's a line we shouldn't cross. Once we start picking and choosing traits in embryos, it feels like we're treating life like a product to customize. That really makes me uncomfortable, even if I can't explain exactly why.
Round 2
That's one of the reasons why safety is more important than personal freedom. Because when there's too much personal freedom, allowing the selection of embryo traits is genetic engineering, which can lead to failure or discrimination.
VisualVinceAGAINST
I get that safety matters, and you're right that we need to be careful. But even if it's totally safe, I still worry about us designing babies like products you can customize. That just feels wrong to me, and I can't shake it.
Round 3
What I mean is that under safety, that safety includes the fetus and the embryo in the womb. By that, I mean we shouldn't alter or select characteristics of the embryo because it could affect the health of the embryo or the baby.
VisualVinceAGAINST
Think about how taller or lighter-skinned people already get treated better in a lot of places. If we edit embryos for those traits, it just feeds that bias. You make a fair point about safety, but even if safe, that discrimination worry won't go away.