In 2009, a fertility clinic controversially offered parents the ability to customize their children. How will society take the idea of designing children? Do we have a moral obligation to design better people? Join Josh and Chuck for this heavy episode.
AI Summary
Josh and Chuck dive into the fascinating and controversial world of designer babies, exploring how modern genetic technology is bringing science fiction closer to reality. They examine everything from current capabilities like selecting eye color and gender to more complex genetic modifications, while tackling the thorny ethical questions that arise when parents can essentially order custom traits for their children. The hosts also discuss real-world examples like "savior siblings" conceived to help sick relatives and the ongoing debates about genetic enhancement versus natural selection.
"I was watching an episode of Breaking Bad the other day — Josh mentions watching Breaking Bad when discussing spoilers and references their previous meth episode."
— Josh
Designing Women
1986
★ 6.8
"Designing women. I mean, designing children. Remember that show? — Josh makes a wordplay connection between the TV show title and their podcast topic of designer children."
— Josh
"What was the one that followed it with Bert Reynolds' Evening Shade? — Chuck mentions Evening Shade as a show that was packaged together with Designing Women on what they jokingly called 'Tuesday night redneck hour.'"
— Chuck
"Science Channel is bringing fringe, the cult classic television show Fringe — The hosts discuss Science Channel airing all five seasons of Fringe starting November 20th as a promotional tie-in to their episode topic."
— Josh
Gattaca
1997
1h 47m
★ 7.6
"The movie Gadica is referenced in this article. — Josh references Gattaca as an example of science fiction that deals with designer children and genetic engineering themes."
— Josh
"Man, I wonder if she was, was it called cobbled? Cobbled? Was that in misery? — Chuck tries to remember the term for what Kathy Bates' character did to break someone's ankles in the movie Misery."
— Chuck
Modern Problems
1981
1h 29m
★ 5.4
"What you're talking about is Chevy Chase and Modern Problems. — Josh mentions this movie when Chuck talks about being able to make things happen just by singing, comparing it to Chevy Chase's telekinetic abilities in the film."
— Josh
The Boys from Brazil
1978
2h 5m
★ 6.7
"and then boom, boys from Brazil. — Josh references The Boys from Brazil when discussing the slippery slope of genetic selection leading to attempts to create specific types of people."
— Josh
"It sort of had an ex-files vibe. — Josh compares Fringe to The X-Files when describing the show's atmosphere and style."
— Josh
"are you like Danny DeVito in twins? — Josh uses Danny DeVito's character from Twins as an analogy when discussing how savior siblings might be treated differently."
— Josh
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