How might society react to babies with two genetic fathers?
“All hell will stand out, politically and morally, all over the world.” Thus, says James Watson, the Co-Decurator winning the Nobel Prize in the Double DNA propeller, on the possibility of in vitro human fertilization in 1974. Four years later, Louise Brown, the first successful IVF baby, was born.
Today, more than 12 million people have been designed via IVF, and hell still seems to be largely contained. Few of us put an eye on the procedure.
But what about our attitudes towards future reproductive technologies? This question is raised by the birth of fertile mice with two genetic fathers. Such exploits have already been tempted, creating mice without mother and fatherless, but this last technique is distinguished because it does not imply genetic modification. In principle, this makes it suitable for use in humans.
There are many technical reasons why this will not happen soon, from the low success rate to the large number of human eggs, stripped of their DNA, which would be necessary. Despite this, we should start thinking about social obstacles.
For some people, the thought of a child with two genetic fathers will never be acceptable, just as there are still those who discourage gay couples who adopt a family. Such spirits will be difficult, even impossible, to change.
As with IVF, which was once a new on the front page could become a factory tour
But we can expect a wider group of people, if not strict moral objections at the idea, general discomfort. The first children born in this way, if necessary, will, in a way, be different from all the humans who have ever existed. While IVF children are designed via a process that our ancestors could never imagine, they continue a genetic line of each person with a male ancient and a woman.
Does this count? Perhaps not – as for IVF, which was formerly a news of the first page could become a lap of the factory. But at a time when the United States is reduced to reproduction and transgender rights, having an open discussion on technology without prejudice will be the greatest challenge. It may be lucky that these questions do not have to be settled soon.
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