LAWTON: Mitchell is genetically predisposed to be short. His mom, Lisa, is 5’3″ and Doug, his dad, is 5’4″. Their doctor projected that Mitchell may not get any taller than 5’1″ and he suggested human growth hormone might help add two or three more inches to that. They decided to try it.<\/p>\n
LISA GREENWOOD: For Mitch, there have already been things in his life that he’s wanted to do that he’s been unable to do because he’s too small. I think that parents will always choose the things that will help their kids grow to be happier, more productive adults.<\/p>\n
DOUG GREENWOOD: Some with reason and some without reason, you know. I think this has been a reasonable choice that we’ve made.<\/p>\n
LAWTON: But as biotechnology advances, some ethicists are raising moral concerns about the extent to which parents may try to make even more radical alterations.<\/p>\n
Harvard Professor Michael Sandel is a member of the President’s Council on Bioethics and author of the new book THE CARE AGAINST PERFECTION. He warns of a slippery slope in the drive toward enhancement.<\/p>\n
Professor MICHAEL SANDEL (Department of Government, Harvard University): Aiming at giving our kids a competitive edge in a consumer society\u201d\u201dthat, in principle, is a goal that is limitless. It has\u201d\u201dthere is no end. In fact, one can imagine a kind of hormonal arms race, or genetic arms race, whether it’s to do with height or IQ, conceivably, in the future.<\/p>\n