Cancer-free 'designer babies' get approval

London Times | November 1, 2004
By Mark Henderson, Science Correspondent

people with inherited forms of cancer have won the right to select embryos free from genes that might trigger the disease in future generations, The Times has learnt.

Four couples affected by a genetic form of bowel cancer will start the procedure by the end of the year, after the Government's fertility watchdog allowed a London clinic to screen IVF embryos for the disorder.

One of the patients, a 35-year-old accountant from Bristol, said: “We are overjoyed to have been given this chance, not only to do as much as possible to make sure our children don't have this gene, but to stop them from passing it on.”

The ruling by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority deepens the controversy over designer babies. It sets a precedent that will allow doctors to “cherry-pick” embryos for a much wider range of traits than at present. Applications to extend the procedure are expected within months.

Such tests can potentially eradicate some disorders, enabling parents to be certain of having healthy children. But critics said that the decision will push Britain farther towards “designer babies” chosen for social reasons.

Paul Serhal, of University College Hospital, will be allowed to screen embryos for the gene that causes familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) — an aggressive colon cancer.Only embryos free of the faulty gene will be implanted. Infants would otherwise have a 50 per cent chance of inheriting it.

The test was previously approved only for childhood or untreatable disorders such as cystic fibrosis and Huntington's disease.

FAP does not generally develop until between 20 and 40 and the risk can be reduced by surgery. Opponents argue that the test will deny life to embryos that would not fall ill for decades, and might not develop cancer. Using it to screen for breast cancer is more controversial still. Some genes raise the risk to 80 per cent but do not always cause the disease.

Mr Serhal, whose licence application was revealed by The Times in June, said: “This will be able to wipe out a defective gene completely, allowing couples to have children without the fear that they may be passing on a terrible illness.”

But many people with genetic diseases may not opt for the test. Emma Stevenson, from Bolton, who carries a bowel cancer gene, said that she would not have chosen it when she conceived her daughter, Katie. “I have the gene and I'm glad to know, but I don't think I would have wanted Katie tested,” she said.

IVF Embryos to Be Screened for Genetic Cancers

The Scotsman | Nov 1, 2004
By Caroline Gammell, PA News

People carrying a genetic form of cancer will have their IVF embryos screened to ensure they do not pass the condition on to their child, it emerged today.

The process, which involves screening embryos for genetic signs of colon cancer, has been approved by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).

The licence to carry out the process was given to the University College Hospital in London and people with identical conditions will be able to have their embryos screened there in the future.

It is thought up to four couples seeking IVF treatment applied for the screening to be approved.

A spokeswoman from the HFEA said: “We can confirm that we have issued a pre-implantation genetic diagnosis license for that particular condition.”

She said the licence only applied to people carrying familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) which is an inherited genetic colon condition.

If passed on, it could lead to the development of rectal or colon cancer in early teens.

The HFEA spokeswoman said the chance of passing on the genetic form of cancer from parent to child was 50% and that there was a “strong chance” the disease could develop later in life.

In most IVF treatments more embryos than necessary are produced, so all would be screened and only those clear of the condition would be considered for implantation.

One of the couples to win the right to have their IVF embryos screened said they delighted with the decision.

They told The Times: “We are overjoyed to have been given this chance, not only to do as much as possible to make sure our children don't have the gene, but to stop them passing it on.”

In the past, the HFEA has given licences for screening to people carrying the genetic form of cystic fibrosis and Huntington's disease.

The spokeswoman said there were approximately 10 clinics in the UK licensed to carry out pre-implantation genetic diagnoses.