With the widespread use of germline gene therapy particular genetic conditions could be eliminated from the population altogether. Conditions like Huntington's disease could become disease of the past, in the same way that global vaccination programmes have eradicated diseases like polio .
Against
Germline gene therapy would never be effective enough to rule out the need for post-fertilisation screening of embryos.
Germline gene therapy involves more steps and introduces additional risks to the embryo compared with IVF and screening for healthy embryos before implantation.
Is gene therapy affordable
For
If germline gene therapy has the potential to remove a disease completely from the population it will reduce/remove the long term healthcare costs of treating the disease. This is likely to justify it being available through the National Health Service in the UK. …show more content…
Poorer parents will not have access to this form of therapy. Costs can be from $500,000 up to one million
Does germline gene therapy consider an individual’s human rights?
For
No unborn child, whether conceived naturally or artificially through IVF and germline gene therapy, is able to choose their genetics and whether they are born with or without a particular condition.
Against
Individuals produced through germline gene therapy cannot give their consent for their genetic material to be modified.
Does germline gene therapy ethically acceptable
Against
Germline gene therapy would never be effective enough to rule out the need for post-fertilisation screening of embryos.
Germline gene therapy involves more steps and introduces additional risks to the embryo compared with IVF and screening for healthy embryos before implantation.
Is gene therapy affordable
For
If germline gene therapy has the potential to remove a disease completely from the population it will reduce/remove the long term healthcare costs of treating the disease. This is likely to justify it being available through the National Health Service in the UK. …show more content…
Poorer parents will not have access to this form of therapy. Costs can be from $500,000 up to one million
Does germline gene therapy consider an individual’s human rights?
For
No unborn child, whether conceived naturally or artificially through IVF and germline gene therapy, is able to choose their genetics and whether they are born with or without a particular condition.
Against
Individuals produced through germline gene therapy cannot give their consent for their genetic material to be modified.
Does germline gene therapy ethically acceptable