tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690296256014565959.post991277344315893850..comments2023-10-02T09:48:26.843-04:00Comments on Day of the Doc: Designer Babies?Dochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08271520121132707982noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690296256014565959.post-4845046015061058982008-05-27T09:59:00.000-04:002008-05-27T09:59:00.000-04:00How H.G. Wells-ian of you. You bring up a good poi...How H.G. Wells-ian of you. You bring up a good point that is quite relevant to all of medicine, the accessibility to technology. Genetic engineering, whether via recombinant DNA modified vectors for attacking specific diseases, or in stem cell treatments of neurological damage, is a reality. This study suggests that there will be considerable options in the future. While I believe myriad questions should continue as to the ethical usages here, a very viable question is: "Who's going to have access to this?" <BR/>In any health care system (socialized or capitalistic- for example) there will be limitations on access to treatments that are deemed "medically necessary" (e.g. antibiotics). Greater limitation s will be given on treatments that are deemed "voluntary" (e.g. cosmetic surgery). Embryo alteration is closer to the voluntary treatment. If we have a socialized health care system, only two groups will be given the access to this: Those with deep pockets, or those that the government decides will be allowed access. Our current health care system may not require such deep pockets for access, but still likely would split the socio-economic groups as you have suggested. A difference is that people could demand access from pressuring their insurance carriers, to make a greater range of accessibility. <BR/>As to the possible genetic split. Two points:<BR/>1. I think that this type of split continues genetically and socially as we speak. <BR/>2. It's hard to talk genetic population shifts without sounding German, circa 1934. <BR/>Ironic, that I am typing this from the mental health facility in Virginia that performed the majority of the over 8,000 forced sterilizations of the "feeble-minded." from the 1920's to 1970's. <BR/>On a tangent, there are no sexually active females in the state facilities for mentally retarded persons who are not strongly advised to have injected birth control. Decisions for treatment are made by legally authorized representatives.Dochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08271520121132707982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690296256014565959.post-58070106847160440662008-05-25T20:25:00.000-04:002008-05-25T20:25:00.000-04:00OK, Doc, now that we've cleared up our mutual affi...OK, Doc, now that we've cleared up our mutual affinities, shall we say, one specific comment concerning this article comes to mind - this seems a long way from ordering babies from the catalog of a genetics corporation. The basic complaint, it seems to me, is one of socio-economic class. That is to say, poorer people are not going to be able to afford the technology whereby their children can be genetically altered and improved, creating not just a class split, but a potential genetic differentiation between the two classes.Geoffrey Kruse-Saffordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11242660591954094499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690296256014565959.post-25401861128673170312008-05-25T12:26:00.000-04:002008-05-25T12:26:00.000-04:00Welcome! Thanks for the nice post. I have enjoyed...Welcome! Thanks for the nice post. I have enjoyed the area since 1988. Great for families.<BR/><BR/>The blog is still in it's embryonic stage; I appreciate the support.<BR/><BR/>BTW, I believe I have a message to send you; but I'll have to get over to your blog.Dochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08271520121132707982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8690296256014565959.post-62019521610312021902008-05-24T14:59:00.000-04:002008-05-24T14:59:00.000-04:00Hi, Doc. Thought I'd check out your website after...Hi, Doc. Thought I'd check out your website after your very nice, well thought-out comment over at ERs.<BR/><BR/>I like the questions you pose to the information in the article. "Designer Babies" is actually a really good name for an all-girl pop band, filled with pregnant women, BTW.<BR/><BR/>On a personal note, before we moved to the Midwest, my wife was pastor for five years in Jarratt, VA, did her CPE training at MCV, and our older daughter was born at Henrico Doctor's Hospital. I have many fond memories of Richmond, including taking my daughter to Brown's Island one summer afternoon, walks through the Fan, the old Texas Wisconsin Border Cafe - you name it.Geoffrey Kruse-Saffordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11242660591954094499noreply@blogger.com