Saving Lives with Designer Babies? - Alan Trounson

Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2009/07/30/Genetic_Testing_The_Ultimate_Matchmaker

Dr. Alan Trounson discusses the ethics of genetically selecting offspring, highlighting a case where parents wanted to have another child to save their first one's life. He argues that situations like this are ethical, explaining "she's completely healthy. And they have a son, and both of them are loved."

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Personalized medicine holds great promise for treating maladies according to an individual's genomic profile. Companies in Switzerland, the US and Australia are working to commercialize this knowledge to offer patients a personalized map charting potential health risks so they can take appropriate action. There is even the possibility to offer match-making services based on DNA.

Swiss researchers are also taking up an important role by looking into the influence of stem cell research on this process. Where is stem cell research at today? How far are we from finding cures? Are creating the perfect babies and commercialized DNA just around the corner?

Join swissnex San Francisco for a intimate panel discussion with Prof. Georg A. Hollaender, Head of the laboratory of Pediatric Immunology at the University of Basel and Dr. Alan Trounson, Director of the California Center for Regenerative Medicine to flesh out these issues, with journalist Evan Ratliff on hand to moderate this timely conversation. - Swissnex

Alan Trounson, Ph.D., is Head of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Prior to this he was Professor of Stem Cell Sciences and Director, Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratories at Monash University, and the Founder of the National Biotechnology Centre of Excellence Australian Stem Cell Centre, as well as Global Scientific Strategy Advisor. Professor Trounson graduated from the University of New South Wales in 1971 with an M.Sc. in Wool and Pastoral Sciences. In 1974 he was awarded a Ph.D. in animal embryology by Sydney University. From 1974-1976 he was awarded the Dalgety Research Fellow at the ARC Institute of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry at Cambridge University. In 1977 he was appointed Senior Research Fellow at Monash University, and by 1984 was a Reader in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

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[Lihinel]

Thats NOT design, thats artificial selection.

They are not desinging genomes, they are selecting one out many embrios based on a set criteria.

People should really stop confusing everbody by using the wrong words.

Same goes with declaring the human genome sequenced, when in fact, the data we have resembles more of swiss cheese.

[specialmike140]

genetics is the frontier of science! exciting shit!!!

[caro557]

@oLiViArOcKiNsOn122 they're embryos not babies

[Lkonae]

@oLiViArOcKiNsOn122 Lawl.  You do understand that all those 'babies' were just going to be another component of the menstrual cycle?

[dadiddlydooda]

Finally, we'll have a very bright and beautiful looking future. lol

[189643478]

@oLiViArOcKiNsOn122

They are not babies but collections of 64 cells or so. These are called blastocysts. We cannot refer to them as human because they lack a nervous system and thus are not individuals.

[oLiViArOcKiNsOn122]

Out of 200 embryos 1 is selected. That's 200 babies if 1 is chosen, thats 199 dead babies. Saving lives? I think not.

[Lobotaru]

technically, by removing genetically inherited diseases, you are increasing human potential. What makes people afraid of augmentation is a fallacy of thinking that they would be rendered obsolete by their children.

The ability to augment fully grown adults may be a whiles off, but it is possible to give fully grown humans augmentations through genetic manipulation as well. Its just easier to do it to embryo's because the delivery is much easier.

[ncfwhitetigress]

In this case I don't have a problem with it, but I can imagine how this medical technology could be misused and abused by the wrong persons.