Can identify any of 15,000 known genetic disorders, researchers say

From the [UK] Times, [UK] Telegraph, BBC News:

A universal test to check embryos for almost any genetic condition could be available in the UK within a year, British researchers say. Clinical trials are expected to start within months.

Researchers say the £2,500 procedure, called karyomapping, can be used to quickly identify embryos with inherited illnesses like cystic fibrosis and spinal muscular atrophy, among an estimated 15,000 known genetic disorders. They believe it has the potential to eventually eradicate some inherited conditions like Huntington’s Disease, and to look for genetic causes of autism.

Critics say the procedure sparks fears that parents will selectively terminate fetuses with non-serious conditions, but scientists say its use would be heavily regulated in Britain and limited to serious diseases. In theory, the process could be used to select for particular characteristics like height and hair color.

“We’re not mad Frankensteins working away in our labs creating designer babies. We can only look for major disorders,” said Prof. Tony Rutherford, chairman of the British Fertility Centre.

Professor Alan Handyside, from the London Bridge Fertility Gynaecology and Genetics Centre in London, who pioneered the technology, said it was right that patients should have access to karyomapping.

“I believe passionately that it’s a question of patient choice,” he said.

The announcement was made at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) conference in Amsterdam.

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 2nd, 2009 at 8:37 am and is filed under Down syndrome, assisted reproduction, autism, cystic fibrosis, genetics, prenatal diagnosis, selective termination. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.  Email This Post