The confluence of advances in human genetics and reproductive science has resulted the ability to perform genetic tests on embryos produced by in vitro fertilization. Embryos found to be free of a disease-causing gene mutation can then be selectively implanted into a woman's womb to initiate a pregnancy. The technique, called Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD), can help parents avoid the birth of a child with a devastating genetic disease or avoid prenatal genetic testing and subsequent pregnancy termination if a fetus is found to carry the gene mutation. PGD can also be used to select the sex or other genetic characteristics of embryos. PGD is giving parents profound new power to identify and select the genetic characteristics of their children. Is this a power parents should have? Should there be limits to its uses? Are current regulations and oversight sufficient?
The John Hopkins University Genetics and Public Policy Center convened a diverse panel of thought leaders to discuss the ethical, social, and scientific implications of this potent new technology.
Speakers and Panelists included:
Newt Gingrich
CEO, The Gingrich Group
Former Speaker of the House
Laurie Goldberg Strongin
PGD Family Representative
Amy Laura Hall
Assistant Professor of Theological Ethics
Duke University
Bernadine Healy
Columnist & White House Advisor
Former President, American Red Cross
Former NIH Director
Paul Steven Miller
Commissioner
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Tom Murray
President, The Hastings Center
John Podesta
President & CEO, Center for American Progress
Former Clinton Chief of Staff
Rebecca Rimel
President and CEO, The Pew Charitable Trusts
Joe Leigh Simpson
Chair, Department of OB-GYN
Baylor College of Medicine
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Custom Kids? Genetic Testing of Embryos/January 8, 2004 Renaissance Washington Hotel Washington, DC https://web.archive.org/web/20060421051819/http://www.dnapolicy.org/policy/pgdForum.jhtml.html anelists
The confluence of advances in human genetics and reproductive science has resulted the ability to perform genetic tests on embryos produced by in vitro fertilization. Embryos found to be free of a disease-causing gene mutation can then be selectively implanted into a woman's womb to initiate a pregnancy. The technique, called Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD), can help parents avoid the birth of a child with a devastating genetic disease or avoid prenatal genetic testing and subsequent pregnancy termination if a fetus is found to carry the gene mutation. PGD can also be used to select the sex or other genetic characteristics of embryos. PGD is giving parents profound new power to identify and select the genetic characteristics of their children. Is this a power parents should have? Should there be limits to its uses? Are current regulations and oversight sufficient?
The John Hopkins University Genetics and Public Policy Center convened a diverse panel of thought leaders to discuss the ethical, social, and scientific implications of this potent new technology.
Speakers and Panelists included:
Newt Gingrich CEO, The Gingrich Group Former Speaker of the House
Laurie Goldberg Strongin PGD Family Representative
Amy Laura Hall Assistant Professor of Theological Ethics Duke University
Bernadine Healy Columnist & White House Advisor Former President, American Red Cross Former NIH Director
Paul Steven Miller Commissioner U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Tom Murray President, The Hastings Center
John Podesta President & CEO, Center for American Progress Former Clinton Chief of Staff
Rebecca Rimel President and CEO, The Pew Charitable Trusts
Joe Leigh Simpson Chair, Department of OB-GYN Baylor College of Medicine