10 January 2009

Cancer Gene Becomes 100% Fatal: Progress Lauded

Breast cancer gene-free baby born (BBC.com, 1/9/09)
The first baby in the UK tested before conception for a genetic form of breast cancer has been born.

Doctors at University College London said the girl and her mother were doing well following the birth this week.

The embryo was screened for the altered BRCA1 gene, which would have meant the girl had a 80% chance of developing breast cancer.

5 comments:

Susan's Husband said...

Well, birth is 100% fatal as well.

Hey Skipper said...

What's more, eliminating fetuses with the 100% gene doesn't mean there is no life, only that there will be another life instead.

What is the opposite of fatal for the fetus that would not have been conceived?

David said...

What's more, eliminating fetuses with the 100% gene doesn't mean there is no life, only that there will be another life instead.

Said the Eskimo as he put his mother on the ice flow.

Hey Skipper said...

Said the Eskimo as he put his mother on the ice flow.

Not the same thing at all.

Let's assume that a woman intends to have two children, and already has one. She discovers that the second, in utero, has the fatal cancer gene, aborts the pregnancy, then becomes pregnant again and delivers the baby.

The second baby would never have been conceived unless the woman aborted the first.

So, what is the opposite of fatal for the fetus that would not have been conceived?

Harry Eagar said...

Life does start at conception, no getting around that.

Therefore . . .

Cancer is survivable.

I can bend if the genetic condition is, say, Tay-Sachs. Otherwise, not.