Should parents be allowed to choose their baby to save the life of an older child? Many more such 鈥�saviour siblings鈥� could be permitted in the UK, argues a parliamentary report.
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) screening can identify embryos that, as children, might provide matched tissue for treating sick older siblings. In the UK, such screening is allowed only when the disease in question is life-threatening, and the (HFEA) must approve each case.
For example, in 2002 the HFEA allowed HLA screening to select a donor sibling for Zain Hashmi, who has beta thalassaemia and needs blood transfusions to stay alive. Stem cells from a sibling鈥檚 umbilical cord could be used to treat him, although so far no suitable embryo has been conceived.
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The new report, published this week, comes from a committee of both houses of parliament considering a draft bill on human tissue and embryology regulation. It recommends that screening be extended to help those with 鈥渟erious鈥� conditions as well. For example, if a treatment for autism is discovered, HLA to support it should be allowed, says committee chairman Phil Willis.
Josephine Quintavalle, of the UK campaign group , disagrees. 鈥淚t is never desirable to create a life in order to save another,鈥� she says. She points out that many serious diseases can be treated using blood from cord blood banks.
However, the HFEA broadly welcomed the report. It 鈥渂rings us a step nearer to getting a regulatory framework fit for the challenges of the 21st century鈥�, a spokesman said.
