3 person embryos - genetic narcissism?

[Wellwell999]

Ok. So a provocative aibu. But interested in replies. I am fully supportive of advancements, stem cell research etc but am disquieted by this. I know fully how much these families want children. I get it. But why when people all over are accepting their fertility limitations and starting wonderful donor conceived, adopted , fostered , step child based families do we feel their needs to have 'genetic' offspring are so paramount and so pressing that they take precedence over long, considered, wide ranging debate which I dont believe has taken place.

I don't understand the problem at all, not even a tiny bit. Loving parents get to have a baby without a horrible disease. A person is alive that otherwise would never have existed.
How can this be anything other than a good thing?
I think people focus far too much on the mechanics of these things. Who cares, really, in the face of so much good?

Oh, and since the word narcissistic was used, isn't it narcissistic to think that we are so special, even our gametes/bits of dna etc are so damn amazing that they have to be revered and worshipped as tiny gods? Thats what it feels like, with the angst and ethical questions etc etc. It's just cells. Who cares how precisely a lovely healthy average baby is made?

CallMeExhausted, I don't post very often but I wish you well
My friend has already buried a child and is bringing up a severely disabled child (with limited life) with the same mitochondrial disorder. It's absolutely devastating.
I for one agree eith these medical steps forward

OP, your post made no sense. What's narcissistic about having one of your own genes substituted, in order to prevent suffering?

Narcissistic would be a parent saying their genetic make-up was perfect and brooking no modification! And yes, "considered, wide ranging debate" has taken place. You were automatically disqualified as incapable of it.

CallMe I am so sorry.

Fwiw in response to Maid's 13:19 post. I'm hugely in favour of using this technology, but I think I would feel more comfortable if the therapy used synthetically manufactured DNA.

However, the only reason for this is because it might open up the possibilities for more couples. I think relying on human donations is potentially tricky, there are all sorts of issues surrounding donor anonymity and rights of the child. We've seen (especially with sperm donation) that removal of anonymity rights has impacted hugely on the number of gametes available, and I think it would be much, much fairer if a synthetic option was available "as standard".

MaidOfStars that is a really good post. Thank you.