Analyzing Purpose

In this post I am going to do some deep thinking about what I want the purpose of my own argument to be on the designer baby debate.

Free write on the goal of your argument...

• I want to expand on the idea that only a small sect of Americans will actually have the opportunity to use the gene editing technology whether its for the right (medical) or wrong (choosing traits) purposes. Right now there are huge price tags for IVF alone, and this number will only increase as the option for gene editing goes on the market. The fact that only a small amount of people will have the financial stability to access this specialized technology, will separate and gab between the rich and lower classes even further. This will have negative consequences on creating an society will values on equality because there will be another factor now to differentiate people. I want readers to really look at the idea of designer babies and reconsider if this is the type of society they want. Readers should be fearful  that designer babies will create an elite class that will interfere with America's advances as a whole society in working toward greater equality. It is so easy to accept something due to the great possibilities promised, but I am going to try and tackle proving why the risks outweigh the consequences. 

Plausible reactions/actions...

• People agree with the negative side of designer babies
• People will become afraid of the technology
• People will disagree with the argument
• People will doubt the reality and find the argument too speculative
• Presenting a new side that raises attention 

Not plausible....

• People will completely agree with my position
• People will be able to stop the research on designer babies from happening

Cause and effect chain....

• Reaction: Presenting a new side that raises attention
• Accomplish: Gear the debate in a new direction that will raise new perspectives on the issue
• Then: More people will get involved in the debate, people will voice other new opinions, get the public more involved in effecting legislation, ultimately the public can help promote legislation that will block research

Talk about possible audience and people interested this argument...

The audience that is most likely to engage in my argument are people of middle socioeconomic status and young, new families expecting kids. This is a topic that will not interest older age groups because it has no importance on their lives because gene editing and designer babies will still take a while to fully be available to the public. While forms of designer babies are already available through IVF, this selective process is not changing any DNA, it is just simply choosing the best combination of genes present. Expecting parents are the biggest target because they will be the ones using this technology and if we can't get legislation to stop this technology, we can hopefully influence some parents to not invest in it. 

Blenkinsopp, Des. "Goal, North Moreton." 2012 via Geograph. Creative Commons.