Question

Stuck on this question.

If you wanted to genetically engineer a human baby to have a specific desired sequence in it's genome, would you use embryonic stem cell transfer or pronuclear injection, or would either technique work as well as the other? Explain your reasoning.

Appreciate any help! Thanks :)

Answer 1

Either technique will work .Both of them have their own advantages and limitations.

However, pronuclear injection would be better for the following reasons-

1. Better selection of required genes(as only 1 parent's genes are used)

2. No risks of mixed genes due to crossing over.

3. Simpler to predict and understand than using a foetus which contains both gene groups in mixed proportions

Pronuclear injection has to be done when the genetic materials of the parents are seperate and not combined yet.

While embryonic stem cell transfer can be done during foetal stage.

The thing to be understood is that both of them have serious medical and ethical obligations and also, research is stil underway in both of them.

Theoretically both may be successful but practically the case is not clear yet.