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| Breast cancer gene-free baby born | Breast cancer gene-free baby born |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The first baby in the UK tested before conception for a genetic form of breast cancer has been born. | 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. | 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. | The embryo was screened for the altered BRCA1 gene, which would have meant the girl had a 80% chance of developing breast cancer. |
| Women in three generations of her husband's family have been diagnosed with the disease in their 20s. | Women in three generations of her husband's family have been diagnosed with the disease in their 20s. |
| This little girl will not face the spectre of developing this genetic form of breast cancer or ovarian cancer in her adult life Paul Serhal, University College London doctor | This little girl will not face the spectre of developing this genetic form of breast cancer or ovarian cancer in her adult life Paul Serhal, University College London doctor |
| Paul Serhal, the fertility expert who treated the couple, said: "This little girl will not face the spectre of developing this genetic form of breast cancer or ovarian cancer in her adult life. | Paul Serhal, the fertility expert who treated the couple, said: "This little girl will not face the spectre of developing this genetic form of breast cancer or ovarian cancer in her adult life. |
| "The parents will have been spared the risk of inflicting this disease on their daughter. | "The parents will have been spared the risk of inflicting this disease on their daughter. |
| "The lasting legacy is the eradication of the transmission of this form of cancer that has blighted these families for generations." | "The lasting legacy is the eradication of the transmission of this form of cancer that has blighted these families for generations." |
| Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) involves taking a cell from an embryo at the eight-cell stage of development, when it is around three-days old, and testing it. | Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) involves taking a cell from an embryo at the eight-cell stage of development, when it is around three-days old, and testing it. |
| This is before conception - defined as when the embryo is implanted in the womb. | This is before conception - defined as when the embryo is implanted in the womb. |
| Doctors then select an embryo free from rogue genes to continue the pregnancy, and discard any whose genetic profile points to future problems. | |
| Using PGD to ensure a baby does not carry an altered gene which would guarantee a baby would inherit a disease such as cystic fibrosis, is well-established. | Using PGD to ensure a baby does not carry an altered gene which would guarantee a baby would inherit a disease such as cystic fibrosis, is well-established. |
| But in 2006, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority said doctors could test for so-called susceptibility genes, such as BRCA1. | But in 2006, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority said doctors could test for so-called susceptibility genes, such as BRCA1. |
| Everybody carries a version of these genes - in fact a properly functioning BRCA1 protein helps stop cancer before it starts - but some particular variations of the genes greatly increase the risk of cancer. | Everybody carries a version of these genes - in fact a properly functioning BRCA1 protein helps stop cancer before it starts - but some particular variations of the genes greatly increase the risk of cancer. |
| Increased chance | Increased chance |
| Carrying the key BRCA1 mutation in this family's case would have given the increased chance of breast cancer and 50% chance of ovarian cancer later in life. | Carrying the key BRCA1 mutation in this family's case would have given the increased chance of breast cancer and 50% chance of ovarian cancer later in life. |
| However, carrying the gene does not make cancer inevitable, and there is also a chance the disease could be cured, if caught early enough. | However, carrying the gene does not make cancer inevitable, and there is also a chance the disease could be cured, if caught early enough. |
| This is nothing personal towards the girl, but I think we have gone too far Josephine QuintavalleComment on Reproductive Ethics The couple, who wish to remain anonymous, wanted to eradicate the gene flaw from their family. | This is nothing personal towards the girl, but I think we have gone too far Josephine QuintavalleComment on Reproductive Ethics The couple, who wish to remain anonymous, wanted to eradicate the gene flaw from their family. |
| The husband's grandmother, mother, sister and a cousin have been diagnosed with the disease. | The husband's grandmother, mother, sister and a cousin have been diagnosed with the disease. |
| If the 27-year-old woman and her husband had had a son, he could have been a carrier and passed it on to any daughters. | If the 27-year-old woman and her husband had had a son, he could have been a carrier and passed it on to any daughters. |
| Josephine Quintavalle, of the campaign group Comment on Reproductive Ethics, said: "This is nothing personal towards the girl, but I think we have gone too far. | Josephine Quintavalle, of the campaign group Comment on Reproductive Ethics, said: "This is nothing personal towards the girl, but I think we have gone too far. |
| "Underlying all this is eugenics." | "Underlying all this is eugenics." |
| But Kath McLachlan, of Breast Cancer Care, said those with the faulty BRCA1 gene would be very interested in the development. | But Kath McLachlan, of Breast Cancer Care, said those with the faulty BRCA1 gene would be very interested in the development. |
| "There are many complex issues to take into account before undertaking PGD, and the decision will finally come down to an individual's personal ethics." | "There are many complex issues to take into account before undertaking PGD, and the decision will finally come down to an individual's personal ethics." |
| And Professor Peter Braude, director of the Centre for PGD at Guy's Hospital in London, said: "The decision as to whether PGD is appropriate for a couple will be made after a thorough discussion with knowledgeable genetic counsellors and clinical geneticists. | And Professor Peter Braude, director of the Centre for PGD at Guy's Hospital in London, said: "The decision as to whether PGD is appropriate for a couple will be made after a thorough discussion with knowledgeable genetic counsellors and clinical geneticists. |
| "It will not be suitable for everyone who has experience of breast cancer in their family, nor where the chances of the IVF needed for PGD has a low chance of succeeding." | "It will not be suitable for everyone who has experience of breast cancer in their family, nor where the chances of the IVF needed for PGD has a low chance of succeeding." |