Is it more of a blessing or a curse to have the ability to
alter our genetic codes?
The ability to alter genetic codes is a blessing because it
gives the option to make positive changes that would not have been possible in
the past and prevents people from the suffering of chronic diseases and
conditions. However, this ability can be a curse since it creates many ethical
issues as to when it is acceptable and when it is misuse. It is our decision to
choose how this ability is used.
Do the deaf have as much right as the rest of us to abort a
fetus that is, in their view, disabled?
It is understandable why a deaf couple would want to abort a hearing,
healthy fetus; it would be difficult to understand and raise a hearing child and
there would be a gap in the relationship between the deaf parents and the hearing
child. However, this is not a justified reason to abort a fetus. Abortion in cases where the fetus has a disability such as fatal health issues or serious physical/mental conditions be justified since it would avoid the fetus from the suffering that he/she would face if born. A healthy and
hearing fetus should live because he/she has potential to live an average life.
I find that aborting a hearing fetus would be selfish since it seems to be more
towards the parents’ best interest rather than the child’s. Similarly, I think it’s
not right for hearing parents to abort a deaf child either because in both
cases, the “disability” does not restrain the child’s future. I believe that both
for the hearing and deaf, it is only under fatal or extreme conditions where abortion
of the fetus should be acceptable.
Is "disability" a relative term? What constitutes
a person's disability?
Disability is a relative term because a disability can turn
into an advantage in certain situations just like certain traits can turn into
a disability in different situations. It is important to note that “normal” is
a relative term as well. In the deaf community, the deaf consider themselves as
normal and hearing is considered a disability. What is disability defined as?
According to Oxford dictionary, disability is a physical or mental condition
that limits a person’s movements, senses, or activities. Basically, any trait
that limits a person from doing certain tasks that an average person would be
able to do can be defined as disability, such as deafness.
Is it Heather's best interest to be raised as the only
hearing child in the family?
I think that it is not Heather’s best interest to be raised
as the only hearing child in her family. Being the only hearing child in her
family would have a negative impact on Heather since all her family members are
deaf. If Heather becomes the only hearing person in the family, she would feel
disconnected from her family and her relationship with her family members,
especially the parents, would become distant. Heather’s father has a strong
opinion about the deaf culture and feels that hearing prevent Heather from
fitting into the deaf culture. If Heather becomes hearing, it is going to
destruct her relationship with her father. Also, hearing may weaken her bond
with the deaf community since the deaf share strong emotional bonds compared to
the hearing. At her age, Heather needs full support from her parents and she
might lose her cultural identity if she becomes hearing. Heather is a bright
child and she would have a successful future without having to hear. Also, thanks
to modern technology, she would have other ways to communicate without using
sign language such as texting. Therefore, it is Heather’s best interest to not receive
an implant. 
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