Text 1269, 52 rader
Skriven 2004-11-08 13:15:18 av Adam Flinton (1:379/45)
     Kommentar till en text av Geo (1:379/45)
Ärende: Re: Article on WIPO & the public good
=============================================
From: Adam Flinton <adam_NO_@_SPAM_softfab.com>

Geo wrote:

> "Adam Flinton" <adam_NO_@_SPAM_softfab.com> wrote in message
> news:418211ef$1@w3.nls.net...
>
>
>>If a major country decides it's time to have GM humans then it will
>
> happen.
>
> actually if just one person decides, then there is a good chance it will
> happen.
>
> Geo.
>
>
It's already happening here where people with genetic disease can have their
embryos screened prior to implantation such that the disease in question can be
weeded out of the population.

"HFEA approves embryo screening for cancer

     The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has
approved the screening of embryos, using pre-implantation genetic diagnosis
(PGD), for inherited bowel cancer, Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). If a
parent is a carrier of FAP, there is normally a 50% chance that a child will
inherit the condition. FAP sufferers develop small non-cancerous growths
(polyps) in their bowel, which become cancerous as they grow older. The
University College London has now been licensed by the HFEA to screen for FAP.
In PGD, during the in vitro fertilisation process, embryos are screened to see
if they carry the faulty gene. Healthy embryos without the faulty gene (up to 2
in women under 40) are implanted. Some scientists hope that FAP could be
reduced or wiped out if the gene is not passed on to future generations.

     However, this raises ethical questions. FAP does not manifest
itself until early adulthood. Opponents argue that medicines should be
developed to treat the condition, rather than using controversial genetic
techniques to try to ‘solve’ the problem. Also, some claim that this continues
the UK ‘down the slippery slope’ towards designer babies. Where do we stop when
it comes to choosing a child’s attributes? For the happy families who have won
the right to screen for FAP the answer is clear; they will be able to prevent a
terrible disease from being spread to future generations. For others the answer
may not be so clear. There have been calls for the HFEA to put these decisions
to the public to ensure the issues are debated fully. - 2/11/04 Dr Susan
Wallace "

Adam

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