Three-person IVF: Defying disease or reckless research?
The Stream debates the ethics behind the controversial medical practice.
Sperm, egg…and egg? The UK is set to become the first country to allow “three-parent IVF”, which entails using a tiny amount of donor cell material to facilitate pregnancy in women who carry genes for mitochondrial disease. Critics worry it hasn’t been studied enough and paves the way for “designer babies.” Proponents say it prevents families from passing on incurable diseases. What do you think? Join us at 1930GMT.
On this episode of The Stream, we speak with:
Dr. Trevor Stammers
Director for Bioethics and Medical Law, St Mary’s University, Twickenham
stmarys.ac.uk
Liz Curtis @4Lilyfoundation
Founder, The Lily Foundation
thelilyfoundation.org.uk
Josephine Quintavalle @corethicsorg
Founder, Comment on Reproductive Ethics
corethics.org
Dr. Marita Pohlschmidt @mpohlschmidt
Director of Research, Muscular Dystrophy Campaign
www.muscular-dystrophy.org
What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.