The recent breakthrough in India saw doctors conducting the first successful ‘saviour sibling’ experiment, which led to an essential bone marrow transfusion saving a young boy’s life. The saviour sibling, Kavya, provided bone marrow for her 6-year-old brother Abhijeet who suffered from Thalassemia.
The Concept of ‘Saviour Sibling’
‘Saviour Sibling’ defines a child specifically conceived through In vitro fertilization (IVF) to aid an older sibling by providing bone marrow, organs, or cells. Usually, the umbilical cord blood or blood from the saviour sibling is used to treat severe blood conditions such as thalassemia and sickle cell anaemia.
The Role of Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT)
Scientists use Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT) to screen out genetic disorders and check bone marrow compatibility. This test involves genetic profiling of embryos to distinguish any genetic diseases or chromosomal abnormalities. The PGT process includes a biopsy of only a few cells from each embryo for genetic analysis. This procedure aims to exclude embryos carrying genetic variants causing hereditary diseases and find embryos that are a Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) match to a sibling.
Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)
HLA, found on most body cells’ surface, plays a crucial role in the immune response to foreign substances. These molecules constitute a person’s tissue type, which differs among individuals. HLA typing has a significant role in organ transplantation protocols as it determines rejection likelihood.
History of ‘Saviour Siblings’
The concept of ‘saviour siblings’ is not new; the world witnessed its first case in 2000 when Adam Nash was born in the USA. His birth marked a breakthrough for families with children requiring a stem cell transplant. The main challenge lies in finding an HLA match between the donor and recipient as the probability of suitable matches among family members stands at about 30%.
Ethical Considerations and Implications
The selection of saviour siblings has ignited ethical debates worldwide. Critics argue that such children might be treated as means rather than ends, leading to a slide towards designer babies. Others worry about the potential physical and emotional suffering. A 2004 paper published in the Journal of Medical Ethics examined these claims but found them flawed. It concluded favorably towards permitting the selection of saviour siblings, especially to prevent existing children’s avoidable deaths.
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
In vitro fertilisation, a widely known Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), derives its name from the Latin term ‘in glass’ signifying studies conducted in a test tube instead of a living organism. During IVF, mature eggs are collected from the ovaries and fertilised by sperm in a lab. The fertilized egg or eggs are then transferred to a uterus.
The Road Ahead
There is currently a significant gap between advancements in prenatal testing biotechnology versus the necessary legal and ethical framework. Hence, it is crucial to establish legal and ethical standards for the benefit of both the families and professionals involved in the creation of savior children.