This weeks SCIENCE has an excellent opinion article
from Thomas Murray, the former head of the Hastings Center, on the topic of
‘Designer Babies’. It deals with the current issue of the FDA’s consideration
of ‘3-parent babies’ to prevent the transmission of mitochondrial defects
(discussed in a previous blog post here). It also goes on to discuss the
approach of the personal genomics company 23andMe that can provide genetic
information that can potentially enhance the choice of sperm (or egg) donors so
as to avoid genetic disease or possibly to accrue desirable traits. Murray
points out the many ethical and regulatory complexities inherent in the whole
concept of designer babies. Overall a worthwhile read for anyone interest in
understanding the intricacies involved in
approaches to human enhancement.
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