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It seems fairly certain that in the not-so-distant future the technology to allow parents to genetically engineer most of their children's physical and personal traits will exist.

While the ethics and legality of this practice will surely be fraught, giving one's child a leg up in life is something every parent is going to think hard about. But what if, in the future, you only have the moolah to get one supercharged chromosome (or whatever) injected into your child-to-be's early embryo?

Keep in mind, this shouldn't be just about what you think is missing from your life. You are going have to deal with the little Frankenstein for at least 18 years, so choose your trait wisely. After the jump, the pros and cons of better living through the genetic manipulation of your offspring.

Intelligence

Pro: While having an abundance of smarts doesn't assure a child's future success (which would, of course, trickle up to those who genetically engineered him so wisely), it's probably more of a guarantee than anything else you can cook up in a lab.


Con: The smartest kids aren't always the happiest kids, and, being your intellectual superior, junior would also be really good at making your life miserable.

Great Athleticism

Pro: While we don't actually have a child, we can only conclude from the steady stream of Facebook updates we get on little darling's soccer game that watching your kid succeed in athletic endeavors is the bee's knees.


Con: The chances your progeny is going to end up in the NBA would still be pretty slim, yet the chances he pisses his productive years away in some un-remunerative (and boring) Olympic-type sport like kayaking or modern pentathlon will increase drastically.

Good Looks

Pro: Everyone wants their children to be treated fairly, and no one gets treated more fairly than the extremely good-looking, who never have to wait in line, rarely have to pay for things, and always get credit just for showing up. (Or so we've heard.)


Con: When people tell you what a good-looking kid you have, they are also flattering your genetics. But when your genetics have nothing to do with it, it's another person creepily implying they might want to have sex with your kid now or in the future.

Happiness

Pro: How many times have you heard a parent say, "I just want so-and-so to be happy." (Granted this is often said after so-and-so has just come out of the closet.)


Con: A parent's love can overcome most of a child's shortcomings, but, ultimately, no one is going to be able stand someone who is genetically incapable of not being cheerful.