Reply to NSTarticle on Designer Babies

Dear Editor,

I view with deep concern your recent article in the front page of The New Sunday Times dated June 18, 2006 with the caption" Baby Boy by Design"

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis(PGD) is a medical technology used to detect genetic abnormalities in embryos. Medical ethics do not condone using such methods to determine the sex of the embryo and to use it for gender selection is something that reeks of commercialism.

Studies have shown that PGD and other assisted reproductive techniques such as Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) , freezing embryos etc are new technologies that can lead to an increased incidence of foetal abnormalities. Sometimes such abnormalities such as neural tube defects, oesophageal atresias may manifest later in pregnancy and often the parents are faced with the difficult decision of having to resort to an abortion which many religions do not allow. One should not ignore the potential danger of IVF and such treatments.

Although potential parents have the right to choose, one should not forget the right of the embryo. The Catholic Church's view is that life begins right from the moment of conception and this applies to the embryo in the pre implantation stage as well.

We need more research especially in the field of animal research to look into the adverse effects of such treatments. We need better child follow up and we should review carefully our regulatory procedures concerning such treatments.

From Bioethics committee of CDAM