Lecture Notes: Designer Babies and Gene Therapy

Introduction

The concept of designer babies involves altering or selecting genetic traits.
Recent advancements in gene therapy make this a closer reality.
Ethical issues arise regarding trait selection and the extent of technology’s use.

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)
- The simplest method, not involving gene editing.
- Selects viable eggs based on desired traits (e.g., disease screening, gender determination).
Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALENs)
- Enzymes designed to edit specific parts of DNA.
- Used in designing plants, fuels, and pets to specifications.
Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)
- Discovered in bacteria; allows DNA modification.
- Theoretically enables genome-wide editing.

PGD is currently used in human pregnancies (first case in 1988).
TALENs and CRISPR are not yet deemed safe for human embryos.
Gene screening options include gender, appearance, intelligence, disease, and personality.

Three-person babies:
- Involves mitochondrial DNA from a third person.
- Prevents certain diseases (e.g., muscular dystrophy).

Genetic manipulation techniques may evolve to:
- Design traits like eye color, hair color, disease resistance.
- Enhance brain function, muscle mass, lifespan.
- Develop new human abilities, akin to X-men.

Potential reduction in genetic and inherited diseases.
Increased lifespan and success rate in life.
Potential risks include:
- Increased terminated embryos.
- Damage to gene pool and loss of individuality.
- Unpredictable consequences from gene editing.