w19146
| Title | Baby Factory |
| Contributors |
Claire McCue (composer) |
| Composition date | 2010 2010 |
| Duration (mins) | 10 |
| Category | orchestral |
| Instrumentation | 2+122+22+1 / 432+21 Tp Perc Hp Cel/Pf Str |
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| Programme Note | The idea of designer babies is quirky, but frightening. Already, it is possible in certain places to pre-select eye colour, hair colour and more. At what stage will things get out of hand, if not already? Will biologically natural babies as we know them become budget babies? How will these babies grow up - perfect of psychologically disturbed? Will money be able to buy the "ideal" baby? And, if it became a widespread option, could we resist designing our own special baby? In Baby Factory, I was imagining some kind of 21st century clinical factory, where would-be parents visit to select the attributes for their baby-to-be. The factory is initially warming up, and they are given a tour, and shown the possibilities for their baby, alongside successful case studies. However, as decision time arrives, the novelty factory wears off, and the would-be parents become more apprehensive as doubts and fears arise. Which attributes should they select; what can be afforded; would purple eyes be cool or cruel; should they make them good at sport or music? Should they decrease their child's risk of long-term disease and increase their IQ or beauty with the remaining budget they can afford? Will they be able to afford the same choices for a future brother or sister? Can they live with it ethically or should they turn around now, before they have signed any papers... or would their baby be at a disadvantage in life against all the other designer babies being born? In the end, as the "white coats" return to the would-be parents to finalise procedures, the desire for their designer baby takes over all other considerations, the form is signed, biological samples surrendered and the factory fires back into action. Have they designed a baby or resigned a baby? |
This work is associated with the following collection items:
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