I'm not sure how I feel about "designer babies". Yes, in some cases, (like severe birth defects) it may be in the best interest of the child to know about medical problems, in advance, so parents and Dr.'s will be aware of potential problems and therefore be able to provide the specialized care the child may need. But I am disturbed by the thought of aborting a child because he/she "may, someday" develop a problem.
What will be next?? Manditory testing to ensure insurance companies that all thier clients are 100% healthy?? Refusal to insure or raising the premiums on people who have "bad genes"??
Just my , but, I just don't know if this is right. I guess time will tell.
The headline is misleading. This baby is not "cancer-proof." She was genetically manipulated to be born without the breast cancer gene, but could develop some other cancer down the line, and, for that matter, could develop a type of breast cancer that isn't dependent on the BRCA1 gene.
Fact is, congenital cancer is exceedingly rare, so almost all babies are born "cancer free."
I couldn't agree more. Working in OB, this headline made me think of all the women who have their amnios and declare their unborn babies "perfectly healthy". Um, not so fast. While we certainly hope so, all an amnio tell us is that the baby is free of identified genetic abnormalities. Unfortunately, there are still plenty of other problems that can and do arise in prior to birth.
The headline is misleading. This baby is not "cancer-proof." She was genetically manipulated to be born without the breast cancer gene, but could develop some other cancer down the line, and, for that matter, could develop a type of breast cancer that isn't dependent on the BRCA1 gene.
Fact is, congenital cancer is exceedingly rare, so almost all babies are born "cancer free."
Well, it doesn't sound like this baby was "genetically modified" in any way. They just screened all the embryos for this gene as well as some other major anomalies. This baby and one other embro were found to not have the gene or any other major anomalies, so they were chosen for implantation.
While I think the whole thing is cool and an intriguing use of medical science, I wonder what the future will hold for our species. All of our medical meddling is bound to make for a very interesting society sometime in the near future.
, but, I just don't know if this is right. I guess time will tell.
Jolie, BSN
6,375 Posts
I couldn't agree more. Working in OB, this headline made me think of all the women who have their amnios and declare their unborn babies "perfectly healthy". Um, not so fast. While we certainly hope so, all an amnio tell us is that the baby is free of identified genetic abnormalities. Unfortunately, there are still plenty of other problems that can and do arise in prior to birth.