Human Genetic Engineering

Questions What if you could screen embryos for diseases before they became babies? What if you could choose the traits your baby would have? Would you use that technology?

Reprogenetics The combined use of reproductive and genetic technologies to select/modify embryos before implantation.

What is IVF? In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is the process of fertilization by manually combining an egg and sperm in a laboratory dish and then transferring the fertilized embryo to the uterus. (“test tube babies”)

Video http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/ivf-sci

What is PGD? Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis allows for embryos to be screened for potential genetic diseases or defects (such as Huntington’s Disease). It also allows for genetic manipulation, screening for chromosomal abnormalities and thereby increasing chances of successful implantation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmOG_nMkVEQ

BRCA1 Is a gene that puts the carrier at a 50-80% higher risk of developing breast cancer. People that carry this gene can screen their embryos and only implant those without this gene present. But where might this lead?

mDNA Currently, the UK is experimenting with replacing faulty mitochondrial DNA (mDNA) with healthy mDNA from a donor egg The resulting egg would contain the birth mother’s nuclear DNA and the donor mother’s mDNA, resulting in “three parent babies” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_c-6m9yJTA Update: Discover magazine Feb.1, 2016

Eugenics Is the belief and practice which aims at improving the genetic quality of the human population. Originally, this was achieved through selective breeding In the future, genetic manipulation may achieve similar results with greater efficiency.

IVF Issues Wrong sperm used to inseminate eggs Buying and selling reproductive material is illegal in Canada, but not in the USA (more cross border shopping:) Women are freezing their eggs for safe-keeping, even though this practice is experimental and unproven Children born to anonymous sperm donors decades ago are now going to court to find out who their fathers are

IVF Issues (cont.) No federal standards - leading to different rules in different provinces Doctors are transferring too many embryos per treatment cycle and over-stimulating women with powerful fertility drugs. Most pressing issue is the number of pregnancies conceived at a given time Quebec funds IVF (up to 3 cycles). Each cycle costs approx. $12,000. In order to reduce the risk of multiple births, only one embryo is transferred at a time. (reduced multiple births)

Sources “Test tube turmoil” Vancouver Sun, Jan 29, 2011 “Trusting the Future” Stephanie Saulter, May 6, 2014 “Embryo Screening and the Ethics of Human Genetic Engineering” Leslie A. Pray, 2008 “Scientists step closer to creating designer babies” Jan 13, 2009 (christian.org.uk)

Back to Basics What do we believe about life? 1. Life (procreation) is a gift of God. (Gen 4:1, Psalms 127:3) 2. We are created in the “image of God”. 3. Humans have physical and spiritual parts (ensoulment). 4. God cares about prenatal development. (Job 10:8, Jer 1:5, Psalms 139:13-16 5. Nothing we do or say can make us more worthy – we are all created by God and therefore worthy of respect and reverance.