UK permits designer baby

[iain]

The Court of Appeal have overturned an earlier ruling, saying that a couple can have a designer baby so that the new child will have bone marrow compatible with their first child.

Their first child has a rare disease and needs a bone marrow transplant to have a healthy long term future.

The Court of Appeal has not opened the way for babies designed for social reasons (e.g. eye colour).

BBC Website (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2928655.stm)

[DanishDynamite]

Can "Brave New World" be far away? :)

Seriously, I'm not quite sure what my opinion is regarding "designer babies". Since life began, there have been "external" forces which determined the gentic makeup of offspring. First there was natural selection. Much, much later came selective breeding of domesticated animals and plants by humans. Then came gene splicing.

Now humans are beginning to use some of the acquired skills on themselves, or in this case, on their offspring.

As a basic premise, I don't have a problem with people wanting the best fit children possible. That's only natural. On the other hand, the power of the technologies is immense and there are many avenues for "abuse".

For the moment, I think I could go along with couples choosing which of their own sperm/egg combinations they would like. I.e. no gene splicing.

It's a tough question, though.

[Reginald]

I know that because the embryo will be screened for compatabilty for the treatment, by design (loosely used word), but it doesnt really fit the perceived "Designer baby" lable does it.

I dont really care what what Mr and Mrs X do with thier sperm or eggs, but I have a few of things that give me pause for thought here.

I wouldnt like to be the one to tell baby two (However nicely you put it) that they exsist because their bone marrow was needed.

Also I always have a problem about treatments in the UK that are not available to all, be it expensive drugs, expensive surgery or in this case IVF (and screening support). I know that this view is somewhat idealistic but it riles me that one person may live, yet another may die, simply through lack of individual funds.

That being said, where do we draw the line here, say my baby son has a rare blood group or tissue type and needs a kidney, is this proceedure ok?

I think this is one of those cases where I have to sit and watch and let someone make a decision, if I disagree I complain like mad, if I am reasonably happy with a decision, i shut up and accept it. But I will be honest enough to admit that I cant see a solution to this sort of thing, and I dont think it's going to get any easier in the future either.

[DanishDynamite]

Reginald:I dont really care what what Mr and Mrs X do with thier sperm or eggs....
My tentative conclusion as well.
I wouldnt like to be the one to tell baby two (However nicely you put it) that they exsist because their bone marrow was needed. I wouldn't mind. The child exists for whatever reason ("mommy was drunk that night, sweetie"). The only problem I see here is whether the bone marrow extraction is a significant risk to baby2 or leaves any serious side effects. In that case, there is an ethical issue.
Also I always have a problem about treatments in the UK that are not available to all, be it expensive drugs, expensive surgery or in this case IVF (and screening support). I know that this view is somewhat idealistic but it riles me that one person may live, yet another may die, simply through lack of individual funds. Enough, you socialist! ;) Actually, I somewhat agree.
That being said, where do we draw the line here, say my baby son has a rare blood group or tissue type and needs a kidney, is this proceedure ok? Good question. However, I see the question as separate from the question of "designer babies". The question, once an infant is born, is what right do the parents have to remove the kidney of said infant, when the procedure is not concerned with the safety of said infant, but the safety of another?
I think this is one of those cases where I have to sit and watch and let someone make a decision, if I disagree I complain like mad, if I am reasonably happy with a decision, i shut up and accept it. But I will be honest enough to admit that I cant see a solution to this sort of thing, and I dont think it's going to get any easier in the future either. I don't think there is any doubt that it will get more difficult to evaluate these things in the future.

[sadluxation]

Join the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Register.

I'm already on it. I also regularily give blood, and can't think why people don't.


Marrow's objective is the recruitment of potential Bone Marrow
Donors specifically from the student population of the UK. The
register provides donors for people with devastating diseases
such as Leukaemia and Sickle Cell Anaemia - often their only
chance of survival.

In order to join the Register you must be:

1. Aged between 18 and 40 yrs.

2. At least 8 Stone in weight (7.5 for Asian/Oriental
donors ONLY)

3. Generally fit and healthy.

4. A Permanent Resident of the UK for at least 3 more years.

You are welcome to come along just to find out more information
or you can join by filling out a confidential medical
questionnaire and providing a small blood sample.


For more information you can e-mail gkt@marrow-uk.org or visit:
www.marrow-uk.org or the trust at www.anthonynolan.org.uk

So what are you waiting for?

[DanishDynamite]

Originally posted by sadluxation
Join the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Register.

I'm already on it. I also regularily give blood, and can't think why people don't.

So what are you waiting for? While I might sign up for the bone marrow register, I do have a reason why people might not want to give blood. The reason, which I can attest to personally, is that some people will almost invariably get uncomfortable and then faint, when giving blood. I have personally experienced this at least 4 times in my life, and it is not an experience I wish to go through willingly. It's a funny thing, because I have no problem with getting injections. Give me as many as you like. However, when the flow goes the other way....sweat appears on my forehead, heavy feeling in the stomach, whoozyness, and then goodbye. I've managed to faint even lying down! Sad, but true.

[sadluxation]

Originally posted by DanishDynamite
While I might sign up for the bone marrow register, I do have a reason why people might not want to give blood.
[snip]
I've managed to faint even lying down! Sad, but true.

Well, at least you've actually tried. I'm more worried about all the people who find excuses not to.
I will accept hypodermosyringophobia(?) too.

[Agammamon]

Why I'm for gene engineering.

Is Freedom Just Another Word for Random Genes? (http://www.reason.com/rb/rb040203.shtml)

[Jon_in_london]

Re- blood donating.

I donate blood, have done since I was 17.
Came the day about 18 months ago that I needed blood myself- 7 units of it. Because I was an active donor, I didnt get charged for it. which saved me a bomb.