Breakthrough's Comment On The News A Baby Has Been Born Free Of A Breast Cancer Gene

Main Category: Breast Cancer
Also Included In: Genetics;  Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 14 Jan 2009 - 7:00 PST

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Breakthrough's comment on the news a baby has been born free of a breast cancer gene A woman has given birth to the first British child genetically designed to be free of the breast cancer gene, BRCA1.

A team of doctors screened her embryos and selected those free from the gene.

The couple, who wish to remain anonymous, wanted to eliminate the cancer gene from their family line. The husband is a carrier and three generations of women in his family have been diagnosed with breast cancer in their twenties. They include his grandmother, mother, sister and cousin.

Dr Sarah Cant, Policy Manager at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, says;

"The decision to screen embryos to see whether they have a faulty breast cancer gene is a complex and very personal issue. Women with a family history of breast cancer tell us that what might be right for one person may not be right for another. It's important for anyone affected to have appropriate information and support so they can make the right choice for them."

Breakthrough Breast Cancer