Posted on 02/21/2014 2:25:26 PM PST by NYer
An experimental technique for creating embryos with three biological parents appears to be moving toward an okay from the FDA. Ostensibly to prevent mitochondrial disease, the experiment would use one genetically modified egg (with the nucleus from another egg), and sperm to create a new human life via IVF.
Now, an FDA committee is holding hearings (on Feb 25-26) to determine whether to allow the technique to be used to bring babies to birth. From the Science story:
In the United States, FDA has said it has the power to regulate any transfer of mitochondrial DNA in embryos, because it is a form of gene therapy.
At least one researcher, Shoukhrat Mitalipov of Oregon Health & Science University in Beaverton, has asked the agency for guidance on what a clinical trial would require. (Mitalipov’s lab has produced seven monkeys born after mtDNA replacement.) Kahn, the ethicist, puts the key issue facing the panel this way. By mixing new DNA into the germ line, “we’re not treating humans. We’re creating humans. There’s not a model for that.”
Then there is the thorny issue of whether the technique should be used to treat infertility. Some reproductive biologists think that faulty mitochondria—or perhaps other factors in the egg cytoplasm that are exchanged in mtDNA replacement techniques—might be one of the key reasons fertility falls in women in their late 30s. They say that the procedure could help such women conceive, but critics say there is little animal data to support the idea.
I’ve written about this before–and in fact, was labeled with the “anti-science” pejorative for opposing three-parent embryos on safety and ethical grounds.
These issues are significant. Animals created through this method have had significant health issues. Making babies through this process would, in my opinion, constitute unethical human experimentation.
There are also significant ethical issues. For example, what would it do to family life were children to have three biological parents? Should the process be opened to lesbian couples so that both could be genetically related to a child one bears–which is impossible today?
Then, there are all the children out there begging to be adopted as we move heaven and earth–and spare no expense–to make it so that everyone who wants a biologically related child can have one.
We live in an age in which we believe we are entitled to what we want. So, look for the manufacture of 3-parent IVF embryos to eventually become part of reproductive medicine–the considerable expense for which required by law to be paid for by health insurance.
FYI Ping!
Our country is going the way of Rome and Sodom and Gomorrah. It was a good run.
insane
Fundamental change, boys and girls.
God is so yesterday... we need to move forward, progress don’t you know
It’s really hard to respect what this country does anymore.
Actually, it’s impossible.
This is so freaking nuts, the only reason to do this is to make it fit these newly invented paradigms. And at the same time it introduces who knows what into the gene pool...forever
The thought of this makes me physically ill.
Mom, Dad, and Mad.
They believe that the two-parent nuclear family is a cultural construct. They believe that it can be done away with if the "oppressive" power dynamic is changed.
Well, some of them do anyway. Others know the truth, and hate it. They think that Western society is rotten, and that if they can accelerate the rot they can kick the whole thing over.
You're going to need a bigger birth certificate.
Three parents? What's to stop life engineers from mixing in some gorilla for strength or cheetah to win Olympic races or whatever?
No, I'm not kidding.
Homosexuality uber alles is the American political and cultural paradigm now. A cesspool nation.
One man, one woman and one space alien?
-— Three parents? What’s to stop life engineers from mixing in some gorilla for strength or cheetah to win Olympic races or whatever? -—
Google transhumanism.
There are a lot of confused people in this world.
There are a lot of evil people in the world.
As the Serpent promised Eve, these deluded people want “to be as gods” and create life in their own image, not God’s. They’ll meet the same end.
The FDA doctors who came up with this crap should be named Moreau..
meanwhile there are millions of abortions..... and babies and kids needing good homes
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