Horizon Season 2009 Episode 8 Who Do You Want Your Child to Be?

Who Do You Want Your Child to Be? is the eighth episode of the 2009 season of Horizon, a popular science documentary series on BBC. The episode explores the idea of genetic pre-selection and how it can impact the future of our species.

Through interviews with geneticists, scientists, and parents, the episode delves into the field of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), a process that allows prospective parents to select embryos with desired traits and avoid those with potential genetic diseases.

The episode opens with a couple, Hannah and Nick, who are considering PGD to avoid their child inheriting Huntington's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that runs in their family. They meet with a fertility specialist who explains how the PGD process works - embryos are created through in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), then genetic screening is performed to identify any diseases or genetic traits. The couple can then select the embryo they want to implant based on the genetic information.

The episode then delves into the ethical implications of PGD. Some fear that the process may lead to "designer babies," where parents select traits such as eye or hair color. However, experts argue that is not the case, as complex traits such as intelligence or personality are influenced by multiple genes and environmental factors, making them difficult to pre-select.

The episode then follows a British scientist, Jeffery Steinberg, who performs PGD in his clinic in the United States. He believes that PGD can be used to prevent diseases that are inherited genetically, such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia, and that it is a necessary tool for prospective parents to have in their arsenal.

The episode also features footage of a symposium where ethicists, geneticists, and experts debate the pros and cons of PGD and its broader implications. Some argue that PGD may lead to a "genetic caste system" where the rich can afford to select certain traits for their children, while others may not have that same privilege. Others argue that people already have access to selective breeding through traditional methods such as marrying within certain social classes or ethnic groups.

The episode also features the story of a woman, Mandy, who underwent PGD to select an embryo free of the BRCA gene mutation, which can lead to breast and ovarian cancer. Mandy's mother had died of breast cancer, and Mandy's sisters were tested positive for the mutation. Mandy wanted to avoid passing on the gene mutation to her future children and chose PGD as a way to do so. However, some experts argue that it may not be responsible to eliminate a gene from the gene pool, as it may have other unforeseen benefits.

The episode concludes with a message that PGD is a tool that can be used responsibly to prevent the transmission of genetic diseases. However, it also acknowledges that there are broader ethical and social implications that must be addressed as the technology advances.

Overall, Who Do You Want Your Child to Be? is an informative and thought-provoking episode that explores the complex and controversial field of genetic pre-selection. It raises important questions about the ethics of selective breeding and the broader implications of using technology to shape the future of our species.