The following is a script of "Breeding out Disease" which aired on Oct. 26, 2014. Norah O'Donnell is the correspondent. Tanya Simon, producer.
There are few fields of medicine that are having a bigger impact on how we treat disease than genetics. The science of genetics has gotten so sophisticated so quickly that it can be used to not only treat serious diseases but prevent thousands of them well before pregnancy even begins. Diseases that have stalked families for generations - like breast cancer - are being literally stopped in their tracks. Scientists can do that by creating and testing embryos in a lab, then implanting into a mother's womb only the ones which appear healthy. While the whole field is loaded with controversy, those who are worried about passing on defective and potentially dangerous genes see the opportunity to breed out disease.
Norah O'Donnell: Did you ever envision that you would have the capability you have today?
Dr. Mark Hughes: No, but that's the fun of science. It's constantly surprising you.
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Norah O'Donnell looks into a controversial procedure that could stop the spread of dangerous genes that have stalked families for generations
The following is a script of "Breeding out Disease" which aired on Oct. 26, 2014. Norah O'Donnell is the correspondent. Tanya Simon, producer.
There are few fields of medicine that are having a bigger impact on how we treat disease than genetics. The science of genetics has gotten so sophisticated so quickly that it can be used to not only treat serious diseases but prevent thousands of them well before pregnancy even begins. Diseases that have stalked families for generations - like breast cancer - are being literally stopped in their tracks. Scientists can do that by creating and testing embryos in a lab, then implanting into a mother's womb only the ones which appear healthy. While the whole field is loaded with controversy, those who are worried about passing on defective and potentially dangerous genes see the opportunity to breed out disease.
Norah O'Donnell: Did you ever envision that you would have the capability you have today?
Dr. Mark Hughes: No, but that's the fun of science. It's constantly surprising you.
Click Here to read more...
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/breeding-out-disease-with-reproductive-genetics/