He is the first child to be born after his parents had the entire genomes of a batch of their IVF embryos screened for abnormalities, with the intention of picking the healthiest for implantation.
The technique could increase the number of successful pregnancies from IVF. And although the researchers stopped short of actually sequencing the boy’s genome, the advance is proof that this could be done – potentially ushering in an era of designer babies.
via New Scientist.
The world is changing, even as we speak.
Should selective breeding be used to improve the human race? Should we genetically screen embryos shortly after conception and choose only those that are the most genetically pure? This may sound like science fiction, but as you will read about below, the technology for this is already operational.
On the 18th of May, a couple in Philadelphia gave birth to a baby that came from an embryo that was selected thanks to a cutting edge procedure known as “next-generation sequencing”. This procedure allows scientists to read every letter of the human genome very rapidly and very cheaply. So will millions of parents soon be lining up to check their potential offspring for “genetic abnormalities”? Has the era of genetically pure “Gattaca babies” now begun?
This new technology is being heralded as a great “breakthrough” in the field of human fertility.
via Has The Era Of Genetically Pure “Gattaca Babies” Now Begun? | Dprogram.net.
Boundary Issues 