Genetic selection of embryos

England has allowed the genetic selection of embryos for the purpose of preventing transmission from parents to children of familial adenomatous polyposis. It is a kind of a hereditary colorectal cancer that develops several years after birth. The United Kingdom was already approved by preimplantation genetic diagnosis, but this is the first time that its use is authorized to prevent a disease. Permission was requested by a team from University College London, who has received permission from the British authorities to carry out a selection of embryos.

For now, the decision affects four pairs carrying the gene responsible for this type of colon cancer who have undergone artificial fertilization techniques. As have a high chance of transmitting this gene to their offspring, specialists are not able to put the embryos in which this genetic anomaly detection. The response of various sectors of both the science and the wider community was immediate, and promises to be fierce ethical debate.