The UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has agreed in principle to screening and selection of embryos for couples who have the possibility of passing on a gene for breast cancer.

Previously genetic screening has only been carried out for embryos with the risk of having a gene that always causes disease, such as cystic fibrosis.

Now the HFEA are allowing screening of genes on a case by case basis that would give the individual an increased risk of disease, such as the BRCA1 gene, which raises the risk of cancer in adulthood by 60-80%.

Comment:

This kind of approach can be seen as a move away from human genetic diversity and the concept of addressing the environmental influences of switching genes on or off, towards a genetic inbreeding and the kind of uniformity depicted by Huxley.

Follow up:

References:

BBC News: Breast cancer screen for embryos. 26 April 2007.

Huxley A. Brave New World. 1932. ISBN 0-06-080983-3