Michael Vazquez and Raye Ploeger: Can humans be trusted with control over genetics?

Can humans be trusted with control over genetics?

Andre and Leslie are a deaf couple who have decided to have a child, and they’re considering using a process to ensure deafness in their child. As deaf parents, they feel they could provide better guidance to a child that would share their lived experience and grow up immersed in deaf culture. But is this genetic intervention ethical? Michael Vazquez and Raye Ploeger explore this classic dilemma. [Directed by Luisa Holanda, narrated by Bethany Cutmore-Scott, music by Gabriel Maia].

Selecting a child's traits with genetic technology raises deep questions about identity and belonging. A deaf couple considers using preimplantation genetic diagnosis to ensure their child is also deaf, hoping to share culture and provide specialized guidance. Philosophers argue about what makes a life 'better,' challenging whether disability is inherently negative or merely different. The story spotlights the tension between shaping a child's future and accepting the unpredictability of life.

Choosing Deafness: Ethics, Identity, And The Limits Of Control

A deaf couple considers using genetic technology to ensure their child will also be deaf, raising deep questions about parental choice and disability. While many assume that deafness inherently makes life worse, some philosophers and deaf activists argue it is simply a different experience, not a deficit. The debate highlights that society’s attitudes and accessibility failures often cause more hardship than the condition itself. Ultimately, choosing a child's traits forces parents to confront the limits of control and the meaning of acceptance.