• Question: Do you think we should screen embryos for dangerous genetic conditions? Is this economically viable?

    Asked by r1ch to Chris, Kay, Kerstin, Lorna, Liv on 17 Mar 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Olivia Hibbitt

      Olivia Hibbitt answered on 17 Mar 2010:

      Hey r1ch!
      I think if we are investing huge amounts of money into IVF then it is completely reasonable for those embryos to be screened for any condition that the parents have a family history of. For naturally conceived children this is obviously impossible but genetic counselling is a very useful tool! People who have a family history of serious genetic conditions such as huntingdons and thalassaemia can be tested to see if they are carriers. A genetic counsellor will talk through the chances of passing on the faulty copy to children and the chances that the children will develop the condition. This sort of stuff goes on now works very well!
      check out this website, it’s a great example of how it all works!
      http://www.jewishgenetics.org/

    • Photo: Kerstin Zechner

      Kerstin Zechner answered on 17 Mar 2010:

      I think it would become something only people who are rich could afford. I have nothing against the screening per se, but there has to be a system in place determining which genes are screened and in which embryos.

    • Photo: Kay Penicud

      Kay Penicud answered on 18 Mar 2010:

      I think the question is whether it is ethical not whether it is economically viable. Its definitely technologically possible, and does happen fairly routinely (eg in pregnant women over 40 to check for downs syndrome).

      However, i think the bigger question is of is it ethical. would you want to know if you baby was going to be disabled? would you no longer want it? what if you and your partner disagreed?

    • Photo: Chris Needham

      Chris Needham answered on 19 Mar 2010:

      I think that’s a really hard question that I don’t know enough about.
      It would need to be regulated VERY carefully and be used for social engineering, such as choosing the sex, hair colour or other characteristics of a child.

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