Researchers Create Genetically Modified Human Embryo; Could Lead To 'Designer' Infants, Critics Say

Main Category: Genetics
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology;  Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 15 May 2008 - 6:00 PDT

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Researchers from Cornell University have created what is believed to be the first genetically modified human embryo, the New York Times reports. The research was released last fall at an American Society for Reproductive Medicine meeting but did not receive widespread attention until Sunday, when London's Sunday Times published an article about the research after it was mentioned in a British government review of similar technology, according to the Times. Researchers said the study was an attempt to learn how early cells and diseases develop in order to correct genes which cause diseases such as cystic fibrosis, hemophilia and cancer. The embryo was destroyed after five days.

Critics of the research have said it is a step toward "designer" infants, in which embryos could be genetically modified to ensure infants have certain characteristics, such as intelligence or athletic ability, the Times reports. Zev Rosenwaks, who headed the research team, said that the purpose of the study was stem cell research and that the embryo was nonviable and had no chance of developing into an infant (Pollack, New York Times, 5/13). "None of us wants to make designer babies," Rosenwaks -- director of the Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center -- said (Ritter, AP/Chicago Tribune, 5/12).

For the research, Rosenwaks and colleagues used a nonviable embryo that had three chromosomes rather than the standard two chromosomes (New York Times, 5/13). The researchers inserted a gene into the embryo that acts as a marker and can be tracked over time, following a procedure that has been used in animal research. The embryo accepted the gene, Rosenwaks said.

The goal of the research was to determine whether the gene could be traced in embryonic stem cells. The researchers were unable to recover any stem cells from the embryo, Rosenwaks said, adding that abnormal embryos often do not develop well enough to produce stem cells (AP/Chicago Tribune, 5/12). An NIH spokesperson noted that the research would not be classified as gene therapy subject to federal review because an embryo is not considered a person under federal regulations.

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Marcy Darnovsky, associate director of the Center for Genetics and Society, said scientists conducting human embryonic stem cell research have been "observing" an "important ethical boundary." Darnovsky added, "These scientists, on their own, decided to step over that boundary with no public discussion." Rosenwaks said that the privately funded study was approved by a review board at the medical center and did not violate any federal restrictions on research involving human embryos (New York Times, 5/13).

Kathy Hudson, director of the Genetics and Public Policy Center, said she did not oppose the research. "We're not even close to having [the technology to genetically modify infants] in hand to be able to do it right," Hudson said, adding that it would be unethical to attempt to do so if it were unsafe (AP/Chicago Tribune, 5/12).

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