Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis Program Essay -- Genetics

Approximately 490,000 babies are born every day worldwide. About 11,000 babies are born each day in the United States alone, which means that at least eight babies are born every minute. Whether a pregnancy is planned for or not, the size, physical characteristics, and intellectual capabilities of a baby are predetermined by the chromosomes that combine in the mother during fertilization. The possibility and probability of a baby having any number of genetic diseases is also determined by genes and the embryo that is fertilized. In 1967, however, a study done by British scientists Robert Edwards and David Gardner paved the way for a life-altering scientific program now known as preimplantation genetic diagnosis, or PGD (Jha, 1). Edwards originally became interested in and began researching about couples with infertility problems while attending the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, in the 1950’s. Previously, studies had proven that it was possible for egg cells from rabbits to be fertilized outside of the body. It was shown that if sperm was mixed with the egg cells in an appropriate environment, then the embryos could develop successfully without the need for another living system. With this knowledge, Edwards took it upon himself to continue the research at the National Institute for Medical Research in London, where he eventually discovered that it was also possible for human eggs to be fertilized outside of the womb. The first human embryo to be fertilized successfully outside of the human body was documented in 1969, followed by the first â€Å"test-tube† baby, Louise Brown, being born in 1978. Just two years later, the world’s first in-vitro fertilization centre, known as the Bou rne Hall Clinic, was founded by Edwards and Eng... ...aby, Please. Blond, Freckles -- Hold the Colic - WSJ.com." Business News & Financial News - The Wall Street Journal - Wsj.com. Web. 18 Nov. 2011. . "PGD - Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) - Genetic Testing." HFEA - Fertility, Infertility, IVF, Embryo Research - Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority. Web. 20 Dec. 2011. . Silverman, Rachel Emma. "Designer Babies: Choosing Your Child’s Traits - The Juggle - WSJ." WSJ Blogs - WSJ. Web. 18 Nov. 2011. . Staff, Wsj. "Can Breakfast Cereal Help You Have a Boy? - The Juggle - WSJ." WSJ Blogs - WSJ. Web. 18 Nov. 2011. .