This week saw Britain become the first country in the world to allow the creation of so-called “three-parent” babies with MPs voting overwhelmingly in favour of the technique of mitochondrial donation. However, this milestone in medical science is one of great controversy.
The Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has condemned the House of Commons decision to vote in favour of legalising three-parent children. Auxiliary Bishop John Sherrington of Westminster stated that the "Three-parent baby law makes human life disposable. " But is he right to suggest this? Will this new law really make human life disposable ?
There is no doubt that this new law will help people's lives. About 2,500 women of child-bearing age in Britain are thought to be at risk of passing on mitochondrial disorders to their children. About one in 6,500 babies is born with a severe form of the disease, which affects vital organs such as the brain, heart and muscles. It is as Ms Ellison told MPs in the commons debate “For many families affected, this is the light at the end of the tunnel”
However, I can understand the point that Bishop Sherrington makes. There is a worry that this new law could lead to a slippery slope of genetically modified “designer babies”. I think that for some there is the perception that soon couples will be designing their children, like they would design a new room, choosing every aspect of their child's genetic makeup. It is important to remember that even though an embryo may not be a fully developed, 9 month old baby, it is still a human life that should be treated as one. As Bishop Sherrington states "The human embryo is a new human life with potential; it should be respected and protected from the moment of conception and not used as disposable material.”
So is Bishop Sherrington right? Will this new law lead us to a slippery slope or will it be the light at the end of the tunnel for so many families ?
VKD
