In VitroGametogenesis and the Creation of ‘Designer Babies’

Abstract

Abstract:Research into the development of stem cell-derived (SCD) gametes in humans, otherwise known as in vitro gametogenesis (IVG), is largely motivated by reproductive aims. Especially, the goal of establishing genetic parenthood by means of SCD-gametes is considered an important aim. However, like other applications in the field of assisted reproduction, this technology evokes worries about the possibility of creating so-called ‘designer babies.’ In this paper, we investigate various ways in which SCD-gametes could be used to create such preference-matched offspring, and what this would mean for the acceptability of IVG, if it is premised that it is morally problematic to ‘design’ offspring. We argue that IVG might facilitate the creation of preference-matched offspring, but conclude that this should not undermine the moral acceptability of IVG altogether—even if one concedes the premise that creating ‘designer babies’ is morally problematic. In the light of this, we also point at a possible inconsistency for a position that condemns the creation of ‘designer offspring,’ while accepting the various endeavors to have genetically related offspring.

Stem cell preservation for regenerative therapies: ethical and governance considerations for the health care sector

“…Clients may also wish to use iPSCs to create gametes to be used for reproductive purposes. Many scholars have discussed the ethics of using pluripotent stem cells for reproduction [69][70][71][72][73] . One primary concern here lies in the safety of such experimental interventions on the resulting child.…”

Moral and Fictional Discourses on Assisted Reproductive Technologies: Current Responses, Future Scenarios

“…If reproductive cloning were safe enough, they speculate, it would even be preferred by a small minority. Reproductive cloning could also be useful to couples who want to have a biological child but do not have usable gametes ( [15], 503): if a man had no sperm or his sperm was not fit for reproduction, he could still father a child by fertilizing his partner's egg cells with the nuclear DNA of his somatic cell. Furthermore, cloning would allow a lesbian couple to have a child without having to resort to a sperm donor: to create an embryo it would be sufficient to transfer the DNA of one partner into the egg cell of the other ( [16], 7)the child would have the nuclear DNA of the former and the 1 Year after year, we have seen a slow increase not only in the number of species cloned but also the ability to produce embryos via cloning and carry on their development up to birth.…”

“…Others would say that the baby has the genes of Pablo and Maria's embryo and Ingrid's eggs. The more people who are interested in having shared biological parenthood, the more times this intervention would be repeatedat least theoretically, there is no limit to the number of people who could be involved ( [15,29,34,35], 501-502).…”

New Surgical Ways to Recover Lost Ovarian Functions in Premature Ovarian Insufficiency in Women of Reproductive Age

“…Репродуктивное долголетие -неотъемлемая составляющая высокого качества жизни, его обеспечение сегодня возводится в ранг государственной программы. К возможностям восполнения утраченного репродуктивного потенциала можно отнести ряд экспериментальных технологий, таких как получение искусственного эмбриона in vitro, раннее развитие которого повторило этапы естественного эмбриогенеза; создание искусственных гамет из стволовых клеток с естественной или индуцированной плюрипотент-ностью [2,3]. Технологии, широко применяемые клинически, в том числе криоконсервация генетического материала, донорские программы и суррогатное материнство, -действенный инструмент в руках специалистов для сохранения репродуктивного долголетия.…”