Designer Babies and Other Myths

Just how often do I have to read a newspaper headline which screams ‘designer baby’ in reference to children conceived via assisted reproductive technology? Recent coverage of the 30th birthday of the world’s first IVF baby unleashed a whole slew of ‘test tube’ references.

Every story about genetic disease, IVF statistics, or clinic errors are invariably connected by the media to this science fiction idea of a ‘designer’ race of human beings; selected for eye colour or high levels of intelligence.

Sure, IVF does assists in avoiding the continuation of rare hereditary disorders through the availability of genetic screening. Yet somehow the ‘designer’ baby tag makes assisted reproductive technology (ART) reek of some expensive trendy item that is sort after by the fashionable, ‘beautiful’ people of western society.

Suddenly I imagine a Paris Hilton or Victoria Beckham type too busy to make a baby by the old-fashioned method of rumpy-pumpy, followed by a nine month long gestation turning to a glossy, expensively produced catalogue to select their ‘designer’ baby.

‘I want a baby girl!’ Posh would point to the exact model in the catalogue hers would be based on. No cheap knock offs for Victoria, no this would be a one-off created from David and hers combined rich genetic pickings;

‘She’s got ‘ter have my pout, David’s personality, and my taste in fashion…..’ Victoria would select the characteristics required to produce her designer baby.

Staff at the glamorous showroom would be able to demonstrate what their designer bub would look like, producing a CGI image which would float down a central runway, swathed in the latest designer label bub duds for the exclusive crowd to mull over possible design improvements.

At the end of the show, the gold AMEX card would be flashed by a member of the entourage and in around 40 weeks, David and Victoria would have their designer bundle delivered to one of their mansions. Easy!

Media references to IVF and these alleged ‘designer’ aspects make ART sound as straight forward as going on a two year waiting list and eventually whacking down five figures in cash to purchase a Hermes Birkin handbag. Okay, successive attempts at IVF can take over two years and cost well into five figure sums.

But despite time and money, many of us have little more than emotional scars to show after two years. I am not sure that many who have endured infertility would find a handbag, no matter how luxurious and fashionable as much of a consolation prize. It would simply be a case of; ‘I did IVF and all I got was this lousy handbag!’ A baby to love is the ultimate prize.

IVF is not a cynical grab by average people to partake in the creation of a master race. Genetic screening for hereditary disease is important in IVF. However, aspects of prenatal search for disease existed long before ART. Genetic screening is a modern development which may spare much heart break and disease. It still remains only one reason why people turn to ART to conceive a baby. For many, there is no other means to achieve conception. Every headline grabbing print article bringing with it a barrage of ‘affront to God’, ‘master race’ and ‘try adoption instead’ comments only serve to make infertility that bit harder for the average ART patient.

For men and women all over the world inflicted with infertility IVF offers hope of family. Something that is intrinsically more valuable than any handbag.