Human genetic engineering: Saviour siblings

Transcription

1 Human genetic engineering: Saviour siblings Lesson objectives To understand what a saviour sibling is. To consider whether saviour siblings should be created. What might Christians think about saviour siblings? R Calvert, Colton Hills Community School 1

2 Saviour Siblings or Spare Parts babies These are the terms used to describe embryos that are selected to develop into babies that will help save their brothers or sisters This was shown in the film My sister s keeper R Calvert, Colton Hills Community School 2

3 opening scene~ why Anna was created. ANNA 1. Why was the younger sister, Anna born? 2. What technology was used in her conception? 3. How did Anna feel about her role? KATE The term used to describe someone in Anna s situation is a Saviour Sibling I m important too! Anna s feelings sec R Calvert, Colton Hills Community School 3

4 How would you feel if YOU were created only to donate body parts? R Calvert, Colton Hills Community School 4

5 Could it really happen? If a child is suffering from certain inherited diseases, the solution could be a transplant of stem cells from a sibling (brother or sister) These can be collected from the sibling s umbilical cord, bone marrow, or other tissue. This is legal in the UK R Calvert, Colton Hills Community School 5

6 Saviour siblings - the technique The process involves a couple going through IVF treatment, even though they have no fertility problems, in order to create embryos in the laboratory which can then be tested to see if they are tissue matches for a sibling. Doctors use a technique called pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, which is normally used to screen embryos for a genetically inherited condition like cystic fibrosis, to test if the embryo will be a match for an existing child. Embryos which are a match can then be selected for implantation in the mother's womb. Once a child is born, umbilical cord blood is taken at birth which can be used to harvest stem cells to treat their sibling in future. If that fails, further treatment such as a bonemarrow transplant may be needed at a later date. The decision to go ahead with the treatment is taken by the Human Tissue Authority or a court. R Calvert, Colton Hills Community School 6

7 It s time to think for yourself Read the newspaper article about Megan and Max. Read the 3 statements and add comments as if you were Max. Saviour siblings BBC 2 mins R Calvert, Colton Hills Community School 7

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9 Baby Donatella was conceived with the primary intention of her becoming a "saviour sibling" to her nine-year-old brother Jamie, who suffers from a rare genetic blood disorder. Two weeks ago the Zammits received the devastating phone call to say that tests on Donatella's umbilical cord blood had revealed she was not a perfect tissue match for her brother. She will not save Jamie's life and although Donna and Thomas say they love Donatella just the same, inevitably her birth has been tinged with disappointment. Mother-of-five Donna, 36, still hasn't broken the devastating news to Jamie, who is already struggling to cope with the physical and emotional effects of the R Calvert, disease, Colton Hills Community for fear School it will emotionally crush 9 him.

10 A B C Matching your opinion How is the saviour sibling going to deal with the fact that its sole purpose in life is to act as a 'spare' for the ill sibling? My disagreement with saviour siblings is that another life is brought into the world whose primary reason for being is to be a donor. Firstly, this makes them "second class" children. Secondly, this new person has no rights to refuse their bone marrow, or potentially kidney etc. How terribly selfish to go on having children, regardless of the possibility that they too might be put through the pain of the same genetic disease and early death. D What happens to these poor saviour siblings if they turn out not to be a match? What about the child's right to have some control over their own body? R Calvert, Colton Hills Community School 10

11 Sanctity of Life Life is precious, sacred and holy CREATED by God (Genesis Ch1) A human person.. Needs to be treated as an end in itself, not as a tool for someone else s agenda. When does LIFE begin? If life begins before or at conception then genetic engineering is wrong. If life begins 14 days after conception (or later) then genetic engineering could be considered. Quality of Life Consider the mental, physical and spiritual dimensions of a person can they be improved? Rowan Williams Former Archbishop of Canterbury Agape unconditional love. What is the most loving thing to do in this situation? R Calvert, Colton Hills Community School 11

12 Should we create a new human being to save an already existing human being? A Christian couple, have a desperately sick daughter who suffers from an inherited condition, which means they need a special transplant from a compatible donor. But there is no donor available. By selecting a saviour sibling the couple could have a child who would save his or her big sister. How might Christians respond to the above situation? Show that you have thought about different Christian viewpoints. R Calvert, Colton Hills Community School 12

13 PPQ 2012 Explain the difference between designer babies and saviour siblings. (3 marks) Which is legal in UK? Which is illegal in UK? R Calvert, Colton Hills Community School 13

14 When answering PPQs make sure you You MUST back up your points with EXAMPLES / QUOTES R Calvert, Colton Hills Community School 14

15 Human genetic engineering: Saviour siblings Lesson objectives To understand what a saviour sibling is. To consider whether saviour siblings should be created. What might Christians think about saviour siblings? R Calvert, Colton Hills Community School 15