From Brains to Beauty: Researchers Say Parents Can Now Design Their Offsprings

In-vitro gametogenesis (IVG) technology involves lab-produced eggs and sperm.

Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are transformed into sperm or eggs using IVG. These stem cells, which are transformed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), can be extracted from embryos or even from a person's own skin or blood cells. Human sperm and egg cells have previously been partially restored in laboratories by scientists, and complete reconstitution might soon be possible.

Without the need for donor sperm or eggs, IVG could enable couples of any age, fertility level, or even gender to have biologically linked children. However, parents might also use this technique to screen and choose embryos with desired genetic characteristics.

Selecting attributes: Intelligence or health or both?

→ Health benefits:

Through the screening of embryos for genetic defects, IVG may assist parents in preventing the transfer of genetic ailments.

Although IVG is still in its infancy, scientists believe it has the potential to completely transform reproductive healthcare in the decades to come.

Infertility could be overcome by millions of people.

Biological children could be born to same-sex couples.

“Genius” kids?

Additionally, the IVG approach allows for the selection of embryos based on non-medical traits such as IQ, height, or even personality traits. Some scientists claim that while features like eye colour are easy to predict, complex attributes like intelligence or athletic ability are influenced by a multitude of genes and environmental factors. This implies that while parents may test for genes linked to intellect, this would not guarantee a "genius" child.

Though it sounds like something from science fiction, the capacity to choose attributes presents significant ethical issues.

1. The emergence of genetic inequality: Could societal divisions widen if only affluent parents can finance trait selection?

2. Discrimination against disabled persons: How would society treat individuals with impairments if embryos with specific diseases were eradicated?

3. The urge to make children "perfect": Would parents feel pressured to improve their offspring, diminishing the appeal of natural conception?

Even though, complete IVG for human reproduction is not yet feasible, and embryo research is strictly regulated globally. Governments will need to impose restrictions on the qualities that can be chosen if this technology continues to advance.

In certain nations, screening for disease prevention may be permitted, but modifications pertaining to IQ or looks may be prohibited. To guarantee equitable and appropriate use of IVG, the public, legislators, ethicists, and scientists will probably be involved in the discussion.

References:

[1] Pang, Ronald T. K., and P. C. Ho. 2016. “Designer Babies.” Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine 26 (2): 59–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ogrm.2015.11.011.

[2] Segers, Seppe, Guido Pennings, Wybo Dondorp, Guido DE Wert, and Heidi Mertes. 2019. “In Vitro Gametogenesis and the Creation of ‘Designer Babies.’” Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics: CQ: The International Journal of Healthcare Ethics Committees 28 (3): 499–508. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0963180119000422.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Sanika Dongre/MSM)