15 Morningside Road, Edinburgh EH10 4DP, Tel: 0131 447 6394
19 June 2006
Following the announcement, today, that a new embryo test offers couples at risk of serious genetic diseases a greater chance of having an unaffected baby through IVF, the Scottish Council on Human Bioethics (SCHB) is concerned that this may lead society onto a slippery slope towards eugenics (the general improving of the human race).
Dr. Calum MacKellar, the Director of Research of the SCHB indicated, in this respect, that "the UK is already on a slippery slope towards a society whereby only certain individuals are considered to be ‘valid’ and fit to live."
He also stated that "though I have a lot of sympathy towards couples with children affected by a genetic disorder, once again the UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has taken a very important decision without any appropriate public debate taking place."
In addition the SCHB is concerned that the procedure will result in only the best embryos being selected with most of the others being considered as ‘invalids’ and discarded. It noted that this may result in human life, eventually, being seen as ‘cheap’ or of no real value.
Dr. MacKellar also indicated that "people need to begin thinking about what kind of society they want to live in whereby many individuals will have been genetically selected" adding "there is indeed a risk that couples who do not use this new technology for moral reasons will eventually be condemned by society for bringing a child into this world which is affected by a disorder and expensive to the NHS."
The SCHB notes, moreover, that this new technology would be illegal in a number of European countries including Germany, Austria and Ireland.