http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005-2007 by the authors Wed, 24 Jan 2007 13:09:07 EST http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/01/21/144030.php#comment-518187 Diana, Great article!! Both my wife and I are plagued with chronic diseases - or should I say we are blessed with them? They have both made us who and what we are, and in our cases at least, they have made us good responsible parents who have given it the old college try to make our own shots into the future decent and responsible young men. Have we succeeded? Don't ask us. Ask our friends. We get compliments all the time, and neither of us know whether to swell with pride or quail with fear that whatever success we may have had may be jinxed... After catering to infantile desires in a Burger King for a number of years, I cannot believe how self-centered Americans are - but unfortunately, I know why... 518187@blogcritics.org Wed, 24 Jan 2007 13:09:07 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/01/21/144030.php#comment-517248 I DO agree with you, though, that people need to keep their priorities clear, and develop a functional and loving family structure, despite the distractions of modern culture all around us. We won't be doing justice to the next generation until we see childbirth and parenting as an honor and a personal responsibility, rather than as a hobby or a social obligation. 517248@blogcritics.org Tue, 23 Jan 2007 10:20:59 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/01/21/144030.php#comment-517239 I'm not convinced that "naturally born" babies are absolutely preferable to "test-tube" babies, any more than I'm convinced by any argument that assumes nature should have priority. Nature wasn't kind to my body or my health, and I've spent my whole life compensating for it. I would welcome the chance to spare my own children the same adversities. I had a professor in college who used in-vitro fertilization, not to ensure that his child looked like him or had a certain eye color, but to choose the healthiest embryo, so that his child would have a better chance of living a living a full life and developing according to the laws of family and culture. I feel that humans are smart enough to use technology well, and to sanction and control those who abuse it. 517239@blogcritics.org Tue, 23 Jan 2007 10:14:46 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/01/21/144030.php#comment-515723 Parenting is not a privilege or a right, but a duty. Mother nature is not here for the asking. How on earth are you going to shame people into not enhancing their abilities to have born a child that better competes in this world or is less prone to debilitating disease? What government agency are you going to invoke to make sure future babies are up to your natural standards? Your fears are warranted, but the world is changing at a hyper rate and new generations will grow up with the opportunity to more precisely choose their offsprings attributes. What will keep them from taking advantage of these opportunities? 515723@blogcritics.org Sun, 21 Jan 2007 16:33:25 EST