Brave New Babies
Printed from: The Crypt
Topic URL: https://www.shyscyberchamber.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=660
Printed on: 28 October 2006
Topic:
Topic author: shy
Subject: Brave New Babies Parents now have the power to choose the sex of their children. But as technology answers prayers, it also raises some troubling questions
Replies:
Posted on: 28 January 2004 10:55:22 AM
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Sharla Miller of Gillette, Wyo., always wanted a baby girl, but the odds seemed stacked against her. Her husband, Shane, is one of three brothers, and Sharla and her five siblings (four girls, two boys) have produced twice as many males as females. After the Millers' first son, Anthony, was born in 1991, along came Ashton, now 8, and Alec, 4. Each one was a gift, says Sharla, but the desire for a girl never waned. "I'm best friends with my mother," she says. "I couldn't get it out of my mind that I wanted a daughter." Two years ago Sharla, who had her fallopian tubes tied after Alec's birth, began looking into adopting a baby girl. In the course of her Internet research, she stumbled upon a Web site for the Fertility Institutes in Los Angeles, headed by Dr. Jeffrey Steinberg, where she learned about an in vitro fertilization technique called preimplantation genetic diagnosis. By creating embryos outside the womb, then testing them for gender, PGD could guarantee—with almost 100 percent certainty—the sex of her baby. Price tag: $18,480, plus travel. Last November Sharla's eggs and Shane's sperm were mixed in a lab dish, producing 14 healthy embryos, seven male and seven female. Steinberg transferred three of the females into Sharla's uterus, where two implanted successfully. If all goes well, the run of Miller boys will end in July with the arrival of twin baby girls. "I have three wonderful boys," says Sharla, "but since there was a chance I could have a daughter, why not?"
The brave new world is definitely here. After 25 years of staggering advances in reproductive medicine—first test-tube babies, then donor eggs and surrogate mothers—technology is changing baby-making in a whole new way. No longer can science simply help couples have babies, it can help them have the kind of babies they want. Choosing gender may obliterate one of the fundamental mysteries of procreation, but for people who have grown accustomed to taking 3-D ultrasounds of fetuses, learning a baby's sex within weeks of conception and scheduling convenient delivery dates, it's simply the next logical step. That gleeful exclamation, "It's a boy!" or "It's a girl!" may soon just be a quaint reminder of how random births used to be.
Shy
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shy@shyscyberchamber.com
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Reply author: Tiffs
Replied on: 12 February 2004 10:05:35 AM
Message:
So what happens if everyone starts deciding to have girl babies? does this mean that even the geeks of the world will get lucky and shows like Average Joe will become more the normal?
Tiffs XXX
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Like... wow!
Reply author: shy
Replied on: 12 February 2004 1:48:20 PM
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I am not really sure that this would happen Tiffs. I would assume that the ratio of couples wanting male and female babies would be roughly the same. Therefore not threatening our male/female ration in the population.
Reply author: Tiffs
Replied on: 18 February 2004 2:23:13 PM
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have i upset you shy?
Tiffs XXX
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Like... wow!
Reply author: shy
Replied on: 22 February 2004 8:46:03 PM
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No
Reply author: nylorac
Replied on: 13 March 2004 06:12:09 AM
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Technology is wonderful as well as horrible. Do we know when enough is enough? I don't know if we do, we always want more... I am afraid of what will be. 
Is my question even valid?
We must carry on, searching, discovering, inventing,isn't that right? Why wouldn't we, but we will go to far with somethings and will not be able to go back.
Reply author: shy
Replied on: 19 March 2004 11:54:17 PM
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quote:I understand what you are saying Nylorac and agree... but hindsight is always 20/20 isn't it?
Originally posted by nylorac
We must carry on, searching, discovering, inventing,isn't that right? Why wouldn't we, but we will go to far with somethings and will not be able to go back.
Reply author: Mazeppa
Replied on: 05 April 2004 10:04:36 AM
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As we move further away from nature, things will continue to collapse. We will even fear food crops.....e.g. "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes." Mess with food? Babies? Shy is right, sometimes dead is better. Enjoy that fluoridated water, chilluns!
Robert Dougherty
Reply author: mistresskitty
Replied on: 05 April 2004 1:48:49 PM
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i want boys for sure...no girls for me
Reply author: Ascended Monkey
Replied on: 05 April 2004 5:18:59 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by nylorac
Technology is wonderful as well as horrible. Do we know when enough is enough? I don't know if we do, we always want more... I am afraid of what will be.
We must carry on, searching, discovering, inventing,isn't that right? Why wouldn't we, but we will go to far with somethings and will not be able to go back.
What most do not appreciate i what Tech/science does for us. Most take for granted SIMPLE things that keep a large part of our population walking the earth, ei. antiboitics, simple surgurys like appendix ,insulin etc.
Can you imagine if all these people that get precious about scientific development were given the option of an unaided life. Forget famine and flood and world population problems, the population would sort itself out and drop like flies.
Even squashed frogs have feelings. (Sticky and wet.)
Reply author: CAT
Replied on: 06 April 2004 12:32:08 PM
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I want boys too.....Girls are mooooody.
Reply author: mistresskitty
Replied on: 06 April 2004 1:15:59 PM
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yah the girls might grow up to be like us and have dumb boyfriends like us and stick feet in their boyfriends face like us and have no boobies like me. lol
Reply author: Mazeppa
Replied on: 06 April 2004 3:00:43 PM
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A lot of men LOVE small boobies, mistesskitty. Don't tell yourself short..............
Robert Dougherty
Reply author: mistresskitty
Replied on: 07 April 2004 11:21:42 AM
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im short too haha
Reply author: CAT
Replied on: 07 April 2004 12:31:12 PM
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Lol ash your boobies are bigger than mine shut up!
Reply author: mistresskitty
Replied on: 07 April 2004 1:13:49 PM
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lol i asked my mom for implants today shes like uh why lol
Reply author: Ascended Monkey
Replied on: 08 April 2004 12:21:14 PM
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Just to make all forum posters aware, the moderators of these forums strongly encourage the discourse of the posted topic, and whilst the moderators are not against interactive postings, they will not tolerate posts that are essentially personal conversation and are off topic.
A continuance of this practice WILL result in person(s) being excluded from the forums.
If there is something you would like to talk about that is off topic start a new topic. If you don't now how to do this, ask!
On a more positive note, the lions share of postings that are being put on are fantastic and are an interesting read.
Even squashed frogs have feelings. (Sticky and wet.)
Reply author: CAT
Replied on: 08 April 2004 1:21:51 PM
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Haha! Exactly because you don't need em.
Reply author: joch666
Replied on: 13 April 2004 11:04:50 PM
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I don't see a problem in choosing the gender of the new child. As the article suggests, it seems the next logical step forward in the whole process. Mind you, I don't have a problem with cloning or genetic re-sequencing or any of that DNA-diddling going on behind closed sciency doors. If we have it, we might as well use it. After all, fear of developing hydrogen fuelled machines/vehicles after the Hindenburg (sp?) disaster, imo, has robbed the world of a cheap, abundant and affordable source of fuel for decades. Let's hear it for techno-fear!
Reply author: mistresskitty
Replied on: 14 April 2004 03:27:19 AM
Message:
theres not a problem with chosing a sex
the problem lies in science is taking over something so natural from the beginning of time. the whole part of being pregnant is the suprise and enjoy being pregnant. wheres the intimacy?
We serial killers are your sons, we are your husbands, we are everywhere. And there will be more of your children dead tomorrow. -Ted Bundy
Reply author: CAT
Replied on: 14 April 2004 06:08:40 AM
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It's true. Science is disturbing the natural order of things. And most times not for the better.
Reply author: joch666
Replied on: 14 April 2004 8:03:48 PM
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Heh. Well it's nice to know there's something positive to be gained from pregnancy.. still not enough to outweigh the negatives of bloating, back and general body ache, nausea, not to mention the agony and utter grossness of childbirth.. Then the next 30 years of poverty, grey hair and having to put up with dirty nappies, screaming toddlers and pot smoking teens...
As you can tell, I'm not exactly in the "I love and want kids" category. No. There is no good here. 
Reply author: mistresskitty
Replied on: 15 April 2004 02:04:34 AM
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joch for your information
1. i was a good kid
2. my parents have enough money to be happy and still make their kids happy
3. im a teen dont/have never/will never smoke pot
if you dont want children then
a) keep your legs closed
b) keep your dick in your pants
We serial killers are your sons, we are your husbands, we are everywhere. And there will be more of your children dead tomorrow. -Ted Bundy
Reply author: Witchy Woman
Replied on: 15 April 2004 02:31:42 AM
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Joch, don't you just love 18 year olds with what they think is attitude?
Reply author: mistresskitty
Replied on: 15 April 2004 1:18:32 PM
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witchy its not an attitude its a statement. how can you tell someone has an attitude over the computer. someone spends a little too much time online 
We serial killers are your sons, we are your husbands, we are everywhere. And there will be more of your children dead tomorrow. -Ted Bundy
Reply author: CAT
Replied on: 15 April 2004 1:30:59 PM
Message:
Watch out witchy...Kanjo might yell at you for not being relevant to the topic.
It's true though attitude is not to be judged online.
And if you don't want kids...you DO keep your legs closed and you DO keep your dick in your pants. It's not attitude it's common sense.
Reply author: shy
Replied on: 15 April 2004 6:34:06 PM
Message:
quote:Let me start by saying that Witchy's conversation about children's attitudes is quite on-topic Cat for a discussion regarding Brave New Babies. Much more so than a couple of other people's contributions around the place of late.
Originally posted by CAT
Watch out witchy...Kanjo might yell at you for not being relevant to the topic.
And please don't question or attempt to ridicule the actions of my Moderators. It offends me that you show little respect for others on my Crypt and the rules pertaining to my site.
quote:Cat, I have to agree somewhat with Witchy's comment, when you are 18, everything seems so black and white, but in adult life there are large grey areas. Long term relationships with people can sway people's better judgement on whether to have children or not have children, so can one's finacial situation, education levels and a host of other issues.
It's true though attitude is not to be judged online.
And if you don't want kids...you DO keep your legs closed and you DO keep your dick in your pants. It's not attitude it's common sense.
In an ideal world keeping 'your legs closed' or 'your dick in your pants' is relatively easier, but once you apply it to real life it becomes somewhat more difficult.
Maybe it would have been a better approach for you to ask Joch why she feels the way she does or to explain her post a little more rather than cast your opinions on her. Everyone leads different lives, with different circumstances and different values.
Reply author: joch666
Replied on: 15 April 2004 8:49:30 PM
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Thanks shy, but I don't need to explain my reasons to anyone :) The fact that someone disagrees with me is fine. I sincerely hope that life is perpetually pleasant for all who believe it so.
Telling me to keep my legs closed is broaching matters which are no one's concern but mine and my partner's, and I invited no comment on the subject. I do have some very strong opinions on pro-choice matters, but they are hardly appropriate here. It's not the first time that I have been ridiculed or put down for not having a 'normal' basic desire to reproduce.
I merely sought to express an opinion I held about the subject, which I thought everyone else was doing, and was basically the point of the discussion. In future I will keep my opinions to myself. Given the subject matter of this site, I expected a modicum of maturity in the postings, especially since it deals with a lot of potentially disturbing matters. I am pleased with the majority. Sorry to cause a ruckus, shy.
Reply author: Mazeppa
Replied on: 20 April 2004 2:19:38 PM
Message:
Hey Joch, I hope you don't keep your opinions to your self! Very well worded, and of interest. And I must say, this topic is certainly bringing out interesting discussion and opinions!! I hope no one has hard feelings over this, we are here to discuss things, enrich our lives, knowledge and opinions, some of which might change or at least be quite broadened. The topic of controlling birth is as sensitive as that of controlling death, I don't wonder we are all so fired up about it!
*Keep 'em flyin'!!*
Hugs to all,
mazeppa
Reply author: Witchy Woman
Replied on: 05 May 2004 12:29:16 PM
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Oh looky what I started and I wasn't even trying
--::>> Witchy Woman <<::--
Reply author: Iceheart
Replied on: 25 May 2004 3:08:56 PM
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I guess being able to choose whetehr you have boy or a girl human infant could have its advantages.
My mother had 4 of us girls and I guess she was lucky after the 3rd and 4th coz she already had all the stuff for girl babies.
Plus if someone in your family has had a boy baby and you would like a boy baby, it'd certainly make it cheaper on you if they were willing to pass down clothes, toys etc. Baby shopping is fucking expensive as, before you even CONSIDER getting to clothes and toys!
But it does raise the question - witht his technology does that mean we are really and truly on the way to becoming Aldus Huxley's Brave New World? where we are all gentically engineered and programmed before we are born....I dunno if I like that idea.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Darla.
I hate your stinking guts.
You make me vomit.
You're scuuuumm between my toes.
Love Alfalfa.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reply author: Mazeppa
Replied on: 31 May 2004 11:45:41 AM
Message:
Brave new worlds, brave new babies......Most farmers in the recent past desired male babies as they were stronger to work the field, female children were also desired to marry others in the area and broaden family ties.....and chicks are GREAT on a farm.......trust me on this one.... But in this era, I am naught sure why gender selection is important. True, that when war occurs we loose shitloads of men, usually the most physically fit ones, and that the gene pool looses some water, but also by the occurance of the next generation the male/female ratio balances again.......and also it is true parents desiring male or female leeches I mean children is probably 50/50......the question is whether you personally wish to take advantage of such technology, and suffer or enjoy the consequence.
mazeppa
Reply author: savage_roo
Replied on: 06 February 2005 09:29:45 AM
Message:
Hi I'm the newbe lol
And I would't worry about there being to many males in the world
When there are 3 to 1 already
Yep for every one guy there are three wemon waiting for you lmao
Think about it
Reply author: shy
Replied on: 22 August 2005 9:29:17 PM
Message:
quote:
Originally posted by savage_roo
And I would't worry about there being to many males in the world
When there are 3 to 1 already Yep for every one guy there are three wemon waiting for you lmao Think about it
You mean for every one guy there are three women willing to laugh at them...
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