British MPs Give Green Light to “Saviour Babies”

Controversy over bio-ethics is mounting in Britain since its parliament legalized a ‘tailored baby for therapeutic purpose.’ This follows the government’s allowance for hybrid embryos produced by inserting human DNA into an animal egg.

The House of Commons voted down a bill to ban so-called “saviour siblings.” The bill, submitted by conservative MPs, was rejected by a 342 to 163 vote, reported British media outlets on Tuesday.

Tory David Burrowes, who led the bill, said it was wrong to design a child for the benefit of another child. Meanwhile, Labour`s Des Turner supported parliament’s decision, saying, “If therapeutic measures exist, it’s a moral imperative to use therapies to save lives.”

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, whose second son is suffering from a rare disease called cystic fibrosis, has taken the lead in blocking the bill. He has contributed articles to local newspapers, including the Observer, calling for the legalization of “saviour siblings” and hybrid embryos.

Therapeutically designed babies refer to babies born through in-vitro fertilization from selected embryos that have the same tissue as those with incurable diseases. The babies are also called “saviour siblings” because they are born to save their ailing sibling.

Through tissue screening, only eggs confirmed to be genetically healthy are implanted into a woman’s womb. When the baby is born, certain tissue from the mother and baby, such as the placenta and bone marrow, are transplanted into the sibling with the genetic disease. However, the provision of tissue for therapeutic purpose should not endanger the baby.

Those who oppose this possible new genetic cure have argued for a ban on any attempt to produce a “spare baby” or “designer baby,” since the process leads to throwing out fertilized eggs when they prove unsuitable for the ailing sibling.

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