Gene Games

If you were given the chance would you change your child's genes? What if you knew for a fact that they would suffer from a genetic disease that couldn't be cured or even effectively treated? I remember watching this movie back in high school and I asked my Grandmother this question. My Grandmother had 7 children, only 5 are currently alive. Two of them died from Cystic Fibrosis before the age of 5. Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects the lungs, liver, pancreas, and intestines of the sufferer and there is no cure. Today there are many more options and treatment methods then there were when my Aunt and Uncle were alive. My Grandmother recalled having to stand by on many occasions watching her children suffering and slowing dying unable to do anything.

I asked her if she had been given the chance to change their genetic make up would she have taken it. She simply replied no. I pressed her and asked her for more information and she told me it part of "God's plan" for her life and her other children's lives. I tried again asking her to remove the God factor and she again said no, we have to learn to deal with the cards we are dealt in life and make the best of our situation. It made me think if I was given the chance to change the genes of my children would I? Would I remove all health risk factors and specify their looks? I probably would. I have watched several other families dealing with children affected by CF and I asked them the same question, would you chance it? They say yes...but also no. They love their children and don't want to see them suffer and die but no because of how much they have learned and changed from having a CF child. I even asked one families daughter who has CF what she would do. She said she hates that so many people suffer but no she wouldn't change it. She is an amazing child and has used everything in her life to its' fullest advantage. She doesn't pity herself or take her time for granted.

I don't know what I would do if I was given the chance to change genes. It is something that, like Vincent's parents, you have to be in that situation to decide. Times are changing and it is possible that sometimes in the future that Gene play could be possible.