Next-Gen Test Tube Baby Born

[pineapplebunnybounce]

http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.v...Baby-Born/

“Next-generation sequencing improves our ability to detect these abnormalities and helps us identify the embryos with the best chances of producing a viable pregnancy,” said Dagan Wells, a molecular geneticist at the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at the University of Oxford, in a statement. “Potentially, this should lead to improved IVF success rates and a lower risk of miscarriage.”

http://www.eshre.eu/Londen2013/Media/Rel...Wells.aspx

The analysis technique is known as "next generation sequencing", a powerful method capable of decoding entire genomes. Vast quantities of DNA data are produced from each sample tested, simultaneously revealing information on the inheritance of genetic disorders, chromosome abnormalities and mitochondrial mutations. Next generation sequencing (NGS) is already revolutionising many areas of genetic research and diagnostics, said Dr Wells, and, when applied to the assessment of embryos, will allow the concurrent analysis of serious inherited disorders and lethal chromosome abnormalities. "Next generation sequencing provides an unprecedented
insight into the biology of embryos," said Dr Wells.

Both articles seem to focus on embryo screening that allows the doctors to eliminate embryos that have genetic defect that would prevent a successful pregnancy. But the second article does say that genetic disorders can be detected. It doesn't say what the selection process is when a disorder is detected, but I think that if an embryo is found to have genetic defects that could lead to illnesses or disabilities, it wouldn't be picked for the IVF procedure.

Thoughts on this technique?

[Koolay]

There's so many children without homes to begin with, I hope they don't do this in any substantial volume.

If they do this, there better be foster parents immediately, It would be so cruel to bring a child into the world with no parents 'for science'.

[pineapplebunnybounce]

There's so many children without homes to begin with, I hope they don't do this in any substantial volume.

If they do this, there better be foster parents immediately, It would be so cruel to bring a child into the world with no parents 'for science'.

Did you read the articles? they're using the screening for parents undergoing fertility treatment because they cannot get pregnant. the embryo screening is to pick the embryo to implant the mother with. It's not to create babies for "science".

[bladevalant546]

We need to be able to grow them in test tubes. Then the inequlity in birth rights can be solved. Not to mention, genetic modification be awesome too.

[pineapplebunnybounce]

inequality of birth rights?