The practice holds serious safety risks for the mother and baby
Do the potential benefits of this procedure justify risks to the health of mother and baby?
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The Argument
As an untested area of scientific research, the genetic modification of babies holds numerous health risks for the mother and child. Studies now suggest that genetically modified babies might face shorter life spans and greater risks for other health issues.[1] Since the procedure holds these safety risks, it is safer to avoid practicing genetic modification of babies altogether.
Counter arguments
All scientific research carries some risk. If scientists had refused to test previous medical procedures for safety's sake, society would still be plagued by treatable illnesses. The genetic modification of babies holds the potential to bring lasting medical progress and is worth the risk.
Premises
[P1] The potential benefits of genetic modification do not justify the practice's safety risks.
Rejecting the premises
[Rejecting P1] Until we know the full extent of scientific advancement that could come from genetic modification, we cannot claim that the procedure's safety risks outweigh its benefits.