SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES
There are three main scientific principles used in the creation of a designer child, the most basic being IVF (in-vitro fertilization), there is then PGD (preimplantation genetic diagnosis) and Gene Therapy.
The first principle, IVF, has been around for a long time as a way to combat infertility but can also be used for many purposes, in this case designer babies. In-vitro fertilization is where the child is conceived in a laboratory as oppose to natural conception via sex, the steps to this process are as follows:
Watch the video below for a more detailed explanation!
The first principle, IVF, has been around for a long time as a way to combat infertility but can also be used for many purposes, in this case designer babies. In-vitro fertilization is where the child is conceived in a laboratory as oppose to natural conception via sex, the steps to this process are as follows:
- The eggs are surgically removed from the women and a sperm sample is taken from the man
- The two gametes are then mixed together in a culture dish, this is called fertilization
- The fertilised eggs are then re-implanted into the female
- The baby continues to grow inside the mother and pregnancy continues as normal
Watch the video below for a more detailed explanation!
The second scientific principle, PGD (preimplantation genetic diagnosis), is where scientists screen the embryos for genetic traits prior to birth.
It is most commonly used to look for potentially dangerous diseases, but it can be used to observe much more. At the moment it is already being used to alter gender.
It is exactly the same as IVF except before the eggs are re-inserted they are screened for diseases, the entire process is shown in the diagram below.
The embryos without the disease are the only ones re-implanted.
It is already widely being used to select gender, the diagram below also explains the process:
It is most commonly used to look for potentially dangerous diseases, but it can be used to observe much more. At the moment it is already being used to alter gender.
It is exactly the same as IVF except before the eggs are re-inserted they are screened for diseases, the entire process is shown in the diagram below.
The embryos without the disease are the only ones re-implanted.
It is already widely being used to select gender, the diagram below also explains the process:
The third principle is Gene Therapy, there are two main types of this, somatic and germ line. Both therapies are still in their early stages but somatic is currently preferred by scientists. The video below shows how a type of gene therapy can be used to try and cure CF (Cystic Fibrosis).
In somatic gene therapy, new genetic material is inserted into the body of the baby which then alter its traits.
Somatic gene therapy only affects the individual the new tissue is put into.
In germ line therapy, the parent cell (gamete) is altered before fertilisation.
With germ line therapy, the traits that are changed will affect all future generations.
Scientists currently prefer somatic as if something does go wrong it won’t affect the later generations.
In somatic gene therapy, new genetic material is inserted into the body of the baby which then alter its traits.
Somatic gene therapy only affects the individual the new tissue is put into.
In germ line therapy, the parent cell (gamete) is altered before fertilisation.
With germ line therapy, the traits that are changed will affect all future generations.
Scientists currently prefer somatic as if something does go wrong it won’t affect the later generations.