Case study 1 Helen wants a child. She isn't aiming to create a perfect child but she wants to undergo genetic selection treatment. Helen has a problem with her DNA. It doesn’t affect her health, but it means that most of her eggs don't carry all the genes needed for a baby to grow healthily. The result is that each time she becomes pregnant, she miscarries. Doctors suggest that Helen try a technique called pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). Using PGD scientists can screen embryos outside the womb, long before they develop into babies. They can select just those embryos that carry healthy genes. This ensures the baby is free from genetic abnormalities. Genetic technology seems the only way she can have a baby at all. If Helen has a child this way, it's not really a designer baby at all. The embryo will be created from one of Helen's eggs and her husband's sperm, just as in IVF. The genes will not be altered, or enhanced in any way. The doctors simply choose an embryo that doesn't carry Helen's genetic disorder. Your thoughts: Would you allow Helen to have the treatment?_____________________________________________________ Reason for your choice:_______________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ Against:

Case study 2 James was born on October 25th, By the time he was 5 years old his parents noticed he was having problems with his running and walking. After several medical consultations, James was diagnosed with ‘Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy’. Duchenne is a genetically inherited disease that causes the slow yet progressive breakdown of muscle tissue. James’ parents would love another child but are aware that any other children they do have will have a chance of developing Duchenne. PGD (Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis) would allow James’ parents to select specific embryos. Should James’ parents be allowed PGD? Your thoughts: Would you allow James’ parents to have the treatment?_______________________________________________ Reason for your choice:_______________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ Against:

Case study 3 Phil and Sian have four daughters, but they wish to have a fifth child and would really like to have a son. To ensure their next child is a boy they wish to undergo genetic selection treatment. Doctors can now check using PGD whether an embryo produced by IVF is a boy or a girl depending on whether it contains an XX or XY pair of chromosomes and then implant the chosen embryo into Sian. There is no medical reason for the couple to have a male child but they both strongly believe a boy is needed to complete their family and to carry on their family name. Your thoughts: Would you allow Phil and Sian to have the treatment? ________________________________________________ Reason for your choice:_______________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________

Case study 4 A boy has been born to a British couple who want to use stem cells from his umbilical cord to treat an older brother with a life threatening blood disorder. The baby was genetically selected while he was still an embryo (using PGD) to be a near perfect tissue match to the four-year-old brother so he can receive treatment. The couple went to an American clinic for IVF treatment because the selection procedure is not allowed in the UK. Is it right to create a child for the sole purpose of attempting to treat a sibling with a disorder? Your thoughts: Do you think the parents should have been allowed this treatment in the UK?_______________________________ Reason for your choice:_______________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ Against: