Charlie and Catherine Mariethoz's daughter Charlotte suffers from a rare blood condition which apparently will be fatal without treatment through a stem cell transplant from a genetically matched donor. The British Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), which regulates the use of human embryo and stem cell research in the UK, has given consent for a clinic to try to create a baby that is a genetic match for Charlotte, using an embryo selection technique. Their method of "creating" a match is eugenics in practice:
Charlotte's parents will undergo IVF treatment to create embryos that will then be tested to see if they are the required genetic match � if one is found, this will be implanted in the womb to create the designer baby.A noble cause is always used to justify practices that otherwise would be considered abominable.When born, the baby will be provide stem cells that can be transplanted into Charlotte, hopefully saving her life.
Doctors recommended the controversial measure after deciding that an unrelated stem cell transplant would not help, and that the chances of producing a genetic match without artificial intervention were not great enough.
The practice of selecting embryos based on their genetic make-up is controversial, as some worry that it could lead to the selection of embryos based on eye colour or other trivial preferences.
