SUDDENLY, we find that there are at least two genetically modified babies in
the world, alive and well and having their diapers changed like other babies everywhere
(see p 7).
Except that while every other toddler on the planet
carries the genes from just two parents, these infants carry extra DNA from a
third parent. How alarmed should we be?
One view is 鈥渘ot very鈥�. The extra genes, it鈥檚 argued, will have little or no
impact on the babies. They are not part of the body鈥檚 main genetic blueprint
housed in the nucleus of every cell鈥� instead the genes are stored in the
tiny structures that churn out a cell鈥檚 chemical energy. What鈥檚 more, these
genes don鈥檛 seem to vary much from person to person or influence how people
behave or appear. They got inside the babies as a side effect of an experimental
treatment for infertility.
In truth, we should be alarmed. The extra genes will probably do no harm, but
nobody can know for sure. And if there is a problem it will be catastrophic
because the extra DNA can be passed on to future generations. For years
scientists have insisted that they would not permit such 鈥済ermline鈥� genetic
manipulation without a clear medical need鈥攁nd even then only after a full
public debate. In this case, the need to add DNA is highly contentious and the
debate was non-existent.
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How could this happen? Because the inventors work in the private sector in
the US, offering IVF treatments to couples who are desperate to have a child and
are willing to pay and take the risks. Unlike their counterparts in many Western
nations, such scientists don鈥檛 need approval from a government agency. The birth
of these babies should come as a warning. We are in danger of letting germline
genetic modification through the back door. Someone should close it.