Well this is definitely a conversation starter! So much to focus on but for one what do you mean when you say “you must reckon with this?” The idea of building a baby to me sounds like trying to play as God and so I don’t like it. It also speaks on a desire to control things which I think is antithetical to having a kid. Parenting isn’t a video game where you create a character and dictate their path. It’s a sacred role of guardianship and guidance. I found it near impossible to ignore the morality because it is a moral proposition. Of all the available choices, abstaining from choice is the most natural and aligned to me. There is also the matter of subjectivity. Standards of beauty are subjective. There are multiple intelligences. Preemptively trying to create a life path is an extreme version of vicarious living and I think it’s unfair to all involved, especially the child.
For me, the main reckoning is "how do you explain this to your child?" I don't feel a responsibility to justify my involvement in predetermination to anyone but my child (this theoretical child I don't have, but would want someday).
Science now allows potential parents to have more agency (or just more information) regarding the outcome of their child's makeup. I don't have the answer to it, but coming to terms with HOW to articulate any choices you make for the child can impact their identity as a person. They would need to reckon with this decision to as it relates to our parent<>child relationship. A parent already has huge agency on the nurture aspect of a child. In addition to supplying genetics, a parent might have more agency in the nature aspect of the child by being informed when they determine which of the embryos is selected. "Designing" a baby is farfetched as, to my knowledge, you can't literally pick and choose attributes, but you are making decisions based on probabilities. We make probabilistic decisions for the betterment of our loved ones all the time.
I also don't agree that "control" is antithetical to having a kid. Isn't a parent's job to literally exercise control on the child's environment in order to raise them as best as possible? We pick education, social circles, diet, etc. all in service of raising a kid as best as we can. The role of guardianship and guidance has control written all over it. Yes, there are many instances where you need to "let go" and give them freedom, but that still falls on the spectrum of control.
I acknowledge I'm human and don't know everything. I'll make incorrect decisions, but the job of a parent feels like the job of any executive: make the best decisions with the limited information and ability that you do have. Exercising choice for the well being of the child feels like a responsible thing to do. Why is does "nature" outweigh "nurture" here? At least, this is the topic I wrestle with when it comes to me making potential decisions for my own children.
I don't control other people or their relationship with their kids. I will only have to answer to my own.
Well this is definitely a conversation starter! So much to focus on but for one what do you mean when you say “you must reckon with this?” The idea of building a baby to me sounds like trying to play as God and so I don’t like it. It also speaks on a desire to control things which I think is antithetical to having a kid. Parenting isn’t a video game where you create a character and dictate their path. It’s a sacred role of guardianship and guidance. I found it near impossible to ignore the morality because it is a moral proposition. Of all the available choices, abstaining from choice is the most natural and aligned to me. There is also the matter of subjectivity. Standards of beauty are subjective. There are multiple intelligences. Preemptively trying to create a life path is an extreme version of vicarious living and I think it’s unfair to all involved, especially the child.
For me, the main reckoning is "how do you explain this to your child?" I don't feel a responsibility to justify my involvement in predetermination to anyone but my child (this theoretical child I don't have, but would want someday).
Science now allows potential parents to have more agency (or just more information) regarding the outcome of their child's makeup. I don't have the answer to it, but coming to terms with HOW to articulate any choices you make for the child can impact their identity as a person. They would need to reckon with this decision to as it relates to our parent<>child relationship. A parent already has huge agency on the nurture aspect of a child. In addition to supplying genetics, a parent might have more agency in the nature aspect of the child by being informed when they determine which of the embryos is selected. "Designing" a baby is farfetched as, to my knowledge, you can't literally pick and choose attributes, but you are making decisions based on probabilities. We make probabilistic decisions for the betterment of our loved ones all the time.
I also don't agree that "control" is antithetical to having a kid. Isn't a parent's job to literally exercise control on the child's environment in order to raise them as best as possible? We pick education, social circles, diet, etc. all in service of raising a kid as best as we can. The role of guardianship and guidance has control written all over it. Yes, there are many instances where you need to "let go" and give them freedom, but that still falls on the spectrum of control.
I acknowledge I'm human and don't know everything. I'll make incorrect decisions, but the job of a parent feels like the job of any executive: make the best decisions with the limited information and ability that you do have. Exercising choice for the well being of the child feels like a responsible thing to do. Why is does "nature" outweigh "nurture" here? At least, this is the topic I wrestle with when it comes to me making potential decisions for my own children.
I don't control other people or their relationship with their kids. I will only have to answer to my own.
https://youtu.be/vmRb-0v5xfI?si=WRIIL9whNgIv9iOH
I opened this ready for a quick clip, then was like: “2 hours!” 😂
I gotta make time for this on my watchlist