Techniques of Possible Designer Babies

Genetic screening is already in use for selecting the offspring’s sex and checking for certain genetic diseases. A week ago, British scientists developed a “genetic MoT” test using a new more efficient process called karyomapping. This method provides a genetic screening of the disease carrying genes. If legalized, the test would be conducted on a two-day old IVF embryo. Karyomapping could spark the ability of doctors ruling out higher risk gene combinations for diabetes, heart disease, or cancer. However, the process could very well come with a cost of $3000. In the future, it may also be possible to “cure” genetic diseases by replacing faulty sections of DNA and inserting healthy DNA in a process called gene line therapy. Gene line therapy is currently performed on animal embryos because it is illegal for humans. (134)