Public debate over ‘designer babies. By David Firn, Parmaceuticals and Chemicals Correspondent. Published: July 16 2004
The UK government watchdog set up to monitor advances in human genetics has launched a public consultation on the testing of human embryos and babies in the womb.
The discussion is expected to raise some of the most controversial issues in medicine, including the rights of parents to select “designer babies” and the extent to which genetic testing should be used to weed out inherited diseases by aborting affected embryos.
The HGC consultation will seek answers to questions such as: how much choice should parents have over what genes babies can be tested for during pregnancy, the implications of discovering a child is destined to develop an inherited disease, how far parents should be allowed go in the pursuit of “designer babies.”
The author calls it one of the most controversial issues in medicine. Very interesting consultation.
ATF