In a message dated 25/12/01 01:43:00 GMT Standard Time,
d.broderick@english.unimelb.edu.au writes:
>
> Interesting case developing in Australia right now.
>
> http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,3487370%255E27
> 02,00.html
>
> A couple carrying a deleterious allele had a kid suffering a gruesome
> condition, Fanconi's anemia. He can possibly be saved with stem cells from
> a histocompatible source; the plausible candidate is placental cord stem
> cells from a new sibling. So the parents are petitioning for the right to
> use IVF technology to prepare a number of in vitro blastocytes, screen them
> to remove those with the genetical anomaly, then implant a healthy one. In
> due course, they'll have another child spared the disorder, and his or her
> cord blood will provide the cure for the existing dying child.
>
> TV news reports of this issue are speaking of the proposal as `genetic
> engineering' (rather than, say, screening for healthy embryos). Monash's Dr
> Alan Trounson is wearily for it, but you can see the poor fellow tiring
> under the ceaseless barrage. It doesn't seem to occur to the nitwits that
> *no* alterations are being proposed in the new baby's genome.
>
> Naturally the reporters all babble about `playing god' and `feeling
> revolted'.
>
> I think this mischievous, or maybe just ignorant, misuse of words needs to
> be combatted every time it arises. Of course, maybe it's better to let it
> run unchecked... because then by the time people *are* doing real genetic
> engineering, the boy will have cried wolf so often everyone will be
> heartily sick of the silly noise.
>
> Damien Broderick
>
>
>
I recently saw a documentary where a couple had gone through with this exact
scenario. I forget when and where, but I believe it to be the first case.
The subject wasn't described as genetic engineering and was shown in a
positive light. The program itself was dedicated to genetics and this
particular section seemed to be given as "evidence for" applied genetic based
medicine, rather than the usual "THE TOMATOES WILL GROW FEET AND KILL US !!!".
As I remember the Boy who received the cord blood is now around 13
and healthy. What interested me the most was the family dynamic that had
grown around the sibbling who's blood was used. As I remember it was a girl
and she was treated by her 'now cured' brother and parrents as a gift and
greatly loved by all.
She an unwanted child that they just had to deal with or get adopted, or even
chopped into easily usable parts and kept in the freezer until another
'Wanted' family member needed a spare part.
Amazing. I was really shocked, as the media must have been. in fact I
think they must have been shocked into silence.
Alex
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