Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, Abortion and the Gay Debate

Albert Mohler blogs about the moral issues surrounding "PGD", the soon-to-be-available ability to hand-pick the characteristics of new-born babies, and it's relationship to the raging debate on homosexuality and genetic predisposition.

His blog post titled "Is Your Baby Gay? What If You Could Know? What If You Could Do Something About It?" raises some thought provoking issues:

Of note is his argument that the absence or presence of any genetic disposition towards homosexuality is no basis for an alteration of principle. His argument runs along lines similar to arguments put forward by others that the absence or presence of a genetic disposition towards sexual violence should not determine the moral debate on the issue.

Albert Mohler:

This question stands at the intersection of so many competing interests. Feminists and political liberals have argued for decades now that a woman should have an unrestricted right to an abortion, for any cause or for no stated cause at all. How can they now complain if women decide to abort fetuses identified as homosexual? This question involves both abortion and gay rights -- the perfect moral storm of our times.

The development of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis [PDG] is one of the greatest threats to human dignity in our times. These tests are already leading to the abortion of fetuses identified as carrying unwanted genetic markers. The tests can now check for more than 1,300 different chromosomal abnormalities or patterns. With DNA analysis, the genetic factors could be identified right down to hair and eye color and other traits. The logic is all too simple. If you don't like what you see on the PDG report . . . just abort and start over. Soon, genetic treatments may allow for changing the profile. Welcome to the world of designer babies.

The perfect moral storm of our times.