The end of sex and the future of human reproduction
By: Henry T. Greely
Publisher: HARVARD UNIVERSITY PRESS; Harvard University Press
Published: 2016
Language: eng
Number of pages: 381
ISBN-13: 9780674728967
Subjects: Preimplantation genetic diagnosis; Human reproduction; Moral and ethical aspects
Description: "Advances in several different areas of the biosciences are coming together in ways that will change human reproduction forever. Vast improvements in the speed, accuracy, and cost of sequencing the entire human genome greatly increases the genetic information prospective parents can learn about their possible children. Rapid progress in stem cell research makes it likely that in twenty years or so, we will be able to make eggs and sperm from the skin cells of people--mature people, old people, children, and even from cells from the dead or the never born. Combining the eggs and sperm will make embryos in a potentially limitless supply; using a technique called preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), which has been in limited but safe use in people for over twenty-five years, a few cells can be plucked from those embryos and have their genomes entirely sequenced. The result, which the author calls "Easy PGD," will give parents (or others) unprecedented power to select embryos for transfer into wombs and eventual birth as babies, based their predictable genetic traits. Those traits will include early-onset and terrible diseases; other, later or lesser, disease risks; cosmetic traits, some behavioral traits; and, last but not least "boy or girl." This book describes the background science of Easy PGD, lays out its pathway to widespread acceptance and use, and explores some of the many ethical, legal, and social issues it will raise. One thing seems very clear: after Easy PGD, making babies will change forever--and so will humanity."--Provided by publisher.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Introduction: changes -- -- Part I. The science.; title: Cells, chromosomes, DNA, genomes, and genes ;; title: Reproduction: in general and in humans ;; title: Infertility and assisted reproduction ;; title: Genetics ;; title: Genetic testing ;; title: Stem cells -- -- First interlude.; title: Easy PGD: the possibilities -- -- Part II.; title: The pathway.; title: Genetic analysis ;; title: Making gametes ;; title: Research investments, industry, medical professionals, and health care financing ;; title: Legal factors ;; title: Politics ;; title: Some other possible uses of new technologies in reproduction -- -- Second interlude.; title: Easy PGD: the future -- -- Part III.; title: The implications.; title: Safety ;; title: Family relationships ;; title: Fairness, justice, and equality ;; title: Coercion ;; title: Just plain wrong ;; title: Enforcement and implementation -- -- Conclusion.; title: Choices.