With all of this DNA technology, ethical questions can be raised.
But most of us agree that using
this technology to treat diseases seems reasonable.
But, should genetically engineered human growth hormone be
used to stimulate growth in children who are deficient?
What would you consider deficient?
Should someone who's short, because both her
parents are short, be treated with growth hormone?
What about somebody who makes almost no growth hormone?
Where's that
threshold that warrants treatment?
So usually, short parents, we get short children.
But what if these parents just wanted a taller son?
And I say son, because parents are much less likely
to take a short daughter to get growth hormone therapy.
So should parents be allowed to use this medical
treatment to help a son develop a few inches taller?
The growth hormone shots can be painful, and
it teaches a child that they're not good enough
the way they are.
Is simply being short a condition that warrants medical intervention?
How do we decide what, when and who should be treated?