Should parents be allowed to select a deaf child by IVF

[Reallytired]

See

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7287508.stm

I think the parents should have the right to refuse genetic testing of their embroyos, but I think its wrong to DILIBERATELY choose to have a deaf embryo. If an untested embryo happened to be deaf I would not have any issues.

Being profoundly deaf is not the end of the world, but it is an inconvience. I don't understand why the couple feel that its impossible for a hearing child with two deaf parents to learn BSL and share deaf culture.

oh and I do get the occasional person telling me how "brave" I am because I can cook/look after a child etc, but I know no different, my disability is only a disability in the eyes of those that have never experienced it.

If anyone has a vested interest in this, they might find this info helpful. I would go but Wales is a bit far from me!

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You are invited to attend the Progress Educational Trust event 'DEBATING DEAFNESS AND EMBRYO SELECTION: ARE WE UNDERMINING REPRODUCTIVE CONFIDENCE IN THE DEAF COMMUNITY?', taking place in Cardiff on the evening of Wednesday 9 April.

This event is FREE to attend, but advance booking is required. Further details are included below. If you should like to attend, please RSVP to [email protected]

Sandy Starr

Progress Educational Trust

+44 (0)20 7278 7870

• DEBATING DEAFNESS AND EMBRYO SELECTION: ARE WE UNDERMINING REPRODUCTIVE CONFIDENCE IN THE DEAF COMMUNITY?

A debate organised by the Progress Educational Trust and the Wales Gene Park

Funded by the Wellcome Trust and supported by RNID

6.30pm-8pm, Wednesday 9 April 2008

Techniquest, Stuart Street, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff CF10 5BW

www.techniquest.org/visiting/cardiff_travelling.php

Clause 14 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill says that in assisted reproduction, embryos known to be at risk of developing 'serious physical or mental disability' or 'serious illness' must not be preferred to embryos where there is no such risk. In the official Explanatory Notes to the Bill, and also during proceedings in the House of Lords, it has been specified that Clause 14 will prevent selecting embryos for deafness. This has prompted fierce debate, with critics of Clause 14 arguing that it impedes reproductive liberty and undermines reproductive confidence, while supporters of Clause 14 argue that the deliberate creation of deaf babies is immoral. Others have pointed to unintended consequences of Clause 14 for assisted reproduction, beyond prohibiting so-called 'designer deafness'. This public debate will see experts debate the issues from contrasting perspectives.

Speakers

• ANNA MIDDLETON
  Consultant Research Genetic Counsellor at Cardiff University

• STEVE EMERY
  British Sign Language Research Associate at Heriot-Watt University

• COLIN GAVAGHAN
  Lecturer in Medical Law and Ethics at the University of Glasgow

Followed by questions from the floor

Chair

• GRAHAM TURNER Chair of Interpreting and Translation Studies at Heriot-Watt University