http://www.lifenews.com/2016/09/28/s...ent-technique/
There are about 50 known mitochondrial diseases
(MCDs), which are passed on in genes coded by mitochondrial (as opposed to nuclear) DNA. They range hugely in severity, but for most there is presently no cure and little other than supportive treatment. The goal behind creating
“designer babies” with three parents is to eliminate such diseases.
But there are good reasons for pro-life people to be concerned about the process and
the eugenics-based reasons behind it....
...Dr. Peter Saunders, a pro-life physician in England, has commented on the ethical problems with three-parent embryos:
This is not about finding a cure.
It is about preventing people with MCD being born. We need first to be clear that these new technologies, even if they are eventually shown to work, will do
nothing for the thousands of people already suffering from mitochondrial disease
or for those who will be born with it in the future...
...Is it safe? This is far from established.
Each technique involves experimental reproductive cloning techniques and germline genetic engineering, both highly controversial and potentially very dangerous. Cloning by nuclear transfer has so far proved ineffective in humans and unsafe in other mammals with a large number of cloned individuals spontaneously aborting and many others suffering from physical abnormalities or limited lifespans.
Also, any changes, or unpredicted genetic problems (mutations) will be passed to future generations.
In general, the more manipulation needed, the higher the severity and frequency of problems in resulting embryos and fetuses.
Is it ethical? No, there are huge ethical issues. A large number of human eggs will be needed for the research, involving ‘
harvesting’ that is both
risky and invasive for women donors. How many debt-laden students or desperate infertile women will be exploited and incentivised by being offered money or free IVF treatment in return for their eggs? How many
thousands of human embryos will be destroyed? If it ever works, what issues of identity confusion will arise in children with effectively three biological parents? What does preventing those with mitochondrial disease being born say about how we value people already living with the condition? Where will this selection end? Some mitochondrial diseases are much less serious than others. Once we have judged some affected babies not worthy of being conceived, where do we draw the line, and who should draw it?...