The Quest for Designer Children 145
Other traditionalists may be much more wary about whether non-therapeutic genetic engineering represents an inappropriate use of technology. They may look to the Babylonian Talmud , where we are told that after God inspired Adam with a type of Divine knowledge, Adam bred two dissimilar animals and created a mule, a sterile animal.” In response to the question,“Why are they called mules?” the Babylonian Talmud answers,“Because they cast fear upon people.””*' By changing the Divine creation of the world, Adam is viewed as inappropriately using nature. Thus, physician Fred Rosner , a traditionalist , asserts that nontherapeutic genetic engineering to improve physical traits and characteristics“is frowned upon in Judaism if it serves no useful medical or psychological purpose.”
Liberal commentators reach a similar negative conclusion. Conservative Rabbi David Golinkin would limit the use of gene therapy to the prevention and cure of diseases or conditions.> He reasons that the Jewish tradition, permitting, if not mandating, Jews to be involved in medicine, speaks of using it only for therapeutic purposes. Golinkin also bases his opposition on a repugnance of eugenics. He notes that societies using science and technology to improve human qualities“have historically abused their power in pursuing eugenic goals.” However, the term“eugenics,” however distasteful for Jews in view of the Nazi horrors, refers to statesponsored efforts, not the product of parental choices.> Golinkin also fears human-made“freaks” because there is no way of setting limits on“smarter, taller, and stronger children.” He concludes that nontherapeutic genetic engineering is“not in keeping with Jewish ethics and theology.”
Despite these misgivings and negative conclusions expressed by commentators, as we learn more about the genes for different temperaments, body builds, statures, and cognitive abilities, some prospective parents will want to choose their unborn child’s traits and characteristics. How will Progressive Judaism respond?