2080s Build A Baby Boom in Toronova
Toronova
Toronova is North America's largest city, both in terms of population (12.5m) and area (7,124 km²), and it is the capital city of Canada (formerly Ottawa). It is located in the south end of the province of Ontario. The name Toronova arose after the fusion of the Greater Toronto Area into one region now known as the Toronova Region (fusing the regions of Toronto, Durham, Halton, Peel, and York) in the year 2043, when the original city of Toronto marked its 250th birthday. The name Toronova fuses both the previous city of Toronto with the latin word “Nova”, creating a name that is meant to mean “New Toronto”.
Sustaining such a city is incredibly expensive and is only possible due to the government’s monetization of genetically modified embryos. Currently, Toronova is the only city around the globe to have fully legalized the process and have it available for purchase. This process is the city's main selling point and source of income, attracting countless amounts of prospective parents each year. Downtown Toronova is also the most visited tourist location, with the Museum of Embryonic Modification being one of the most desirable locations to visit for tourists around the world.
History
After the inauguration of the conservative government in 2025, one of the first acts that was done was the change of the Assisted Human Reproduction Act of 2004, which previously disallowed for research and experimentation in the field of genetically modified humans. Shortly following this, many companies and teams of scientists allocated large amounts of money to research the topic, leading to the now famous Genetic Race (named similarly to events such as the Space Race and Arms Race).
Over the next decade, teams spent many years learning to successfully modify embryos. The first recorded success was in 2034, when scientists at Illumina successfully modified the embryo of a woman, which edited the child's hair colour to naturally be a shade of grey, which should have originally been blonde. This child was referred to as patient zero, and their identity has remained confidential through the years. Although this was a revelation of the time, the success rate of the process was miserably low (<0%), and over the next few years, the process slowly improved, and the success rate slowly grew. However, teams still struggled with success due to the host embryo often rejecting inserted DNA leading to rapid deterioration of the embryo.
In 2046, the next major improvement occurred when a team of scientists at York University created a strand of RNA that during the process of embryonic development, would bind to inserted DNA and mask the change. This creation led to substantially high success rates in genetic modification, and it was from here on that companies began campaigns to monetize and popularize it. The creation of this RNA strand led to the team at York University to receive a Nobel Prize in Genomics.
In 2082 with the support of the government, the process became nationally accepted and adopted, with anybody being able to genetically modify their child as long as they could afford it. Over the next XXX or so years, the government provided funds to further develop the area, nearly perfecting the process and reducing the cost of it, as well as increasing what is possible to genetically modify. As of today (April 8th, 1104), The process is available at every major hospital around the nation, and starts at $1,000,000 CAD, with more desirable modifications costing extra.
Current plans on progressing the subject area is to decrease the cost to increase the accessibility of the process. Additionally, the Canadian government is looking to expand the process, currently working with parties from the United States of America to legalize and adopt the practice in their country. Although accepted in Canada by the government and many Canadian citizens, many other countries, and even a minority of Canadians disapprove of the process, sharing concerns around equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Ethical Concerns
The 2080s Build a Baby Boom in Toronova resulted from the growing interest in genetically modified embryos. Although the rising technology has many benefits, ethical concerns surrounding the process have continued to persist since its development. The most notable concerns about the practice of genetically modified embryos are their comparison and linkage to the eugenic practices of the early twentieth century.
The Eugenics Movement in the Twentieth Century and Twenty-Frist Century
The eugenics movement in the early twentieth century was rooted in discriminatory ideologies that targeted many communities through state-led sterilization across North America. In the United States of America, over thirty states implemented sterilization policies that resulted in the coerced sterilization of over sixty thousand individuals. These policies targeted women who were poor, racialized, or deemed ‘feebleminded.’ The eugenics movement was grounded in a series of misguided biological, political, and social policies that emerged to enhance the human race. The movement sought to dehumanize individuals and groups deemed as ‘other’ and, in turn, justified the abuse directed at these communities. Although the eugenics movement ended in the late twentieth century, reproductive practices informed by eugenic ideologies persisted into the twenty-first century. For instance, the FDA-approved contraceptive, Norplant, was incorporated into welfare programs by providing reimbursement for the costs of Norplant to women on family assistance programs or providing cash incentives for women who agreed to have Norplant implanted in them. The integration of Norplant into the welfare system, targeted poor and economically vulnerable women, specifically poor black mothers who were perceived as ‘social polluters’ who were detrimental to society.
An 'Ideal' Race
Prior to the development of genetically modified embryos, genetic testing, such as prenatal genetic screenings, was available to parents to screen for hereditary and genetic illnesses and disorders. Genetic screenings paved the way for genetically modified embryos. As the practice of genetically modified embryos developed, parents were able to genetically modify their embryos or ‘build’ their child(ren), allowing them to select the traits that their child(ren) could have. However, the concern around such practice is it reinforces discriminatory ideologies. A study conducted by SallingerGenes on genetically modified children points to the favorability of children who are male, fair-skinned, have blond or light-coloured hair, and blue or green eyes. Such favorability has been compared to the Nazi Race Theory of an “Aryan Race.” During Hitler’s leadership, he enforced many practices, including but not limited to extermination camps and forced sterilization, to ‘exterminate’ those deemed as non-Aryans. As the interest in genetically modified embryos grows in the twenty-second century, there are concerns that a superior race ideology may resurface. Such ideologies will disproportionately impact communities that fall outside this ideology. The communities will likely be those who have been historically marginalized, including but not limited to individuals who are racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, have disabilities, and are poor as explored in the documentary Rainbow Babies: The (In)visible Barriers.
Impact on Education
Specialized Schools
The 2080s Build a Baby Boom in Toronovo transformed schooling in the city. Many children born from genetically modified embryos are musically inclined and academically gifted in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects. As a result, more specialized schools and programming emerged to accommodate their interests and needs. The provincial government transformed 40% of public schools into private schools specializing in music and STEM. Only 20% of public schools had specialized programs in music and STEM. Due to the lack of public schools available, many families were forced to relocate to public schools. The limited number of public schools resulted in overcrowded classrooms and, in turn, limited resources to support students’ needs and wellbeing. To tackle the overcrowding of classrooms, school portables (also known as modular classroom buildings) were implemented at various public schools in the city. However, these classrooms were not accessible during the deep winter seasons due to the heavy snowfall that covered the entrance and the freezing temperatures, which made the environment unsafe for young children. As a result, those who had classes in these classrooms would have to move to remote learning during the winter months.
Reintroduction of Academic Streaming
During this time, academic streaming within high school emerged after the practice was removed in 2052. The streaming levels include the “academic” and “applied,” track. High school students are able to choose which track they want to pursue; however, some schools require students to complete tests and evaluations to enter certain streams. The Ministry of Education argued that academic streaming promotes equity by allowing students to maximize their potential with others who are on similar pathways. However, some experts have argued against academic streaming and criticized such practices as discriminatory. The removal of academic streaming in 2052 was a result of decades of advocacy from educators, parents, and students to remove barriers for students, specifically for Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (BIPOC) students and students from low-income families. These students were historically streamed in the “applied” track which impacted their access to post-secondary education and employment. The reintegration of academic streaming in the Ontario school system continues to widen the gap between racialized and non-racialized students. In addition to academic streaming, IQ tests and other evaluations have dominated education in the last decade and have been used to stream and categorize students. Many high schools require prospective students to complete various tests and assessments when applying to attend an institution outside their district.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Students' mental health has been widely impacted by this new technology. Students continue to compare themselves to those who are born with genetic modifications and therefore report low self-esteem and negative body image. This can be found in Katherine’s Diary entry where she discusses what life is like as a “normal” grade eight female navigating her new life in Toronova. Tylers Page
Possible Genetic Modifications
The scientific advances involved in genetic modifications have allowed the ability for endless possibilities for embryo modifications. Humans now have the ability to modify embryos to their desired likeness. Below is a list of the possible modifications that can be done to human embryos:
- Gender
- Race
- Weight
- Height
- Hand size
- Feet size
- Limb length
- Hair colour
- Eye colour
- Specific skill traits (eg. cooking, knitting or pottery)
- Fertility ability
- Athletic ability
- Emotional intelligence
- Cognitive ability
- Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) ability
- Sexual orientation
- Dexterity ability
- Physical strengths
- Muscular properties
- Elimination of hereditary illnesses (eg. cancers)
- Religious views
- Musically inclined
- Temperament
- Learning skills (collaboration, initiative, organization etc.)
This list is only the start of the possible embryo modifications. Doctors and scientists are currently working to provide even more options to genetically modify embryos. They are set to release more modifications by the beginning of 2105 and are working to perfect the current possible embryo modifications.
Accessing Embryo Modifications and Costs
Canadian adults 18 years and older have access to genetically modifying embryos. Tests are run on individuals to ensure they are healthy enough to have the procedure done. However, the cost of this procedure may deter individuals from going this route during their fertility journeys. The initial embryo extraction (for ONE embryo) costs approximately $1,000,000 (Canadian currency). This does not include the cost of medications needed pre and post extraction as this varies from person to person. Prices also vary on the remainder of the procedure based on the types and the amount of modifications applied to the embryo. Generally, each modification ranges from $50,000 - $80,000, but this also varies between clinics and individuals. The more modifications applied to a single embryo, the more expensive this procedure becomes. Another important aspect to note is that embryo modifications and transplants do not come with a one hundred percent guarantee. Individuals have reported the need for numerous implantations and embryo modifications due to complications. Some complications include loss of the fetus during embryo implantation, loss of fetus during embryo extraction and errors within modifications that corrupt the fetus. In these cases, individuals do not receive any money back and if they choose to try again, they are required to pay the same fees all over again. As this has become a popular procedure for affluent families, wait times have risen across the nation. Some families reported waiting up to three years to be able to access this procedure. If the procedure is unsuccessful, individuals are forced to join the waitlist again. Private clinics have begun offering this procedure at an even greater expense for individuals to avoid these lengthy waiting lists.
The cost to have this procedure performed at a private clinic varies from province to province. Surrogacy is also an option for individuals, however this comes at a greater cost. Individuals can also purchase embryos if they are unable to extract them, but this also comes at a greater cost that varies based on individual circumstances.
Although all Canadian citizens 18 years and older have access to this technology, the substantial expense is a strong deterrent for numerous Canadians across the nation (especially for middle and lower income families). The general population engaging with this technology is higher-income, white collared families as they have the funds to afford this expensive procedure. Doctors and scientists are currently researching more cost-efficient ways to extract and genetically modify embryos to provide equal access to this incredible technology.