For centuries scientists have always been curious as to what makes a human being human; what is it that makes each individual unique? The history of genetics can be traced back to 1866 and the work of an Augustinian friar named Gregor Mendel, who was able to prove heredity using pea plants (Genetics" 1-2). As time progressed genes and chromosomes were discovered in the 1940's and early 1950's showing how the genetic information is passed from two haploid cells into one diploid cell that, through the process of mitosis, creates a human being. In February of 2001, there was yet another breakthrough that changed the world's view of genetics, the completion of The Human Genome Project (Human Genome Project). The Human Genome shows the complete set of deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA) it takes to form a human being. All three billion base pairs that make up the 23 chromosomes were now at scientist's fingertips, allowing them to find and change genes that cause disabilities and illnesses. Now twelve years of experience later, it is possible to develop a complete synopsis of the genome of an unborn child through a blood sample from the mother and a saliva sample from the father. With this discovery, many questions arose about whether or not parents should be given the full genetic code of their child. On the pro side, the full genetic code should be left to the digression of the parents; while on the other hand; the genome should be withheld letting nature take its course. While both arguments are compelling, giving parents the option to learn the probability of their child's future and the ability to alter their genes can lead to controversy that requires compromise. The way in which this paper examines this topic, in order to prove both the value and the danger of using the fetal genome, is as follows with three pros, three cons, and three rebuttals that provide a concession to assure a safe and productive use of the genome.
