Urgent: Tell the FDA What You Think About "Three-Parent" Embryos

On February 25th and 26th, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be having a meeting to discuss allowing the technique that creates embryos with three genetic parents to proceed to clinical trials. The "three-parent" embryo technique is also called mitochondrial replacement, maternal spindle transfer, or oocyte modification. In an effort to "treat" mitochondrial disease, this technique would intentionally modify IVF embryos to have the genetic material from three persons. This modification is also one that will extend beyond the children produced and will be passed onto future generations. (For more information about "three-parent" embryos read my article at the National Catholic Register.)Over 40 countries have banned such inheritable genetic modifications. Regrettably, the United States has no such laws and it is up the FDA to regulate the practice. They are currently taking written opinions on the subject, but only until this Tuesday, February 18th.  The FDA needs to hear from the public on this issue.This is a pivotal point in human history. Will we allow the intentional genetic modification of our children and grandchildren? I do not believe I am exaggerating when I say the future of our species depends on how we answer that question.Please tell the FDA what you think. The contact information given on the advisory panel web page is Gail Dapolito, Fax [phone], e-mail: gail.dapolito[at]fda.hhs.gov or Rosanna Harvey, Fax 301-827...

Source: Mary Meets Dolly - February 17, 2014 Category: Geneticists and Genetics Commentators Tags: Genetic Engineering Source Type: blogs