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 I know there has been, and there will continue to be, controversy surrounding the human genome project. I accept the potential for discriminatory outcomes/bad use of the information. However, I can't help but feel, like Crystal, that it should really be up to an individual to decide whether or not gene therapy is for them. I say this because, I personally would at least want the option to have gene therapy if  it meant an easier life for my future child, and probably for me as well (especially for the more extreme examples I mentioned in class). I also accept however, that some people think that the option shouldn't exist.

I think where it gets murky is the incredibly subjective nature of what conditions or "illnesses" should warrant gene therapy of germ lines. Obviously, as we discussed in class, different people would be able to cope with the same situation with varying degrees of success. I think those people who believe strongly that they are not in a position to deal with a certain outcome should have the option of making the outcome one they are better able to deal with. Again, the potential for abuse is there. Also, I do see how this might belittle the presence of people with said condition/illness who are already part of society. Kendra mentioned the idea of a designer baby, and I certainly think that there are many many people who this would appeal to. So where is the line between want vs need? and how should such an issue be regulated?