FROM FETAL TISSUE TO DESIGNER BABIES

Ethics surrounding fetal tissue and genetics are among the most controversial. The questions of who "owns" a body, its tissues and fluids is ongoing. Genetics capabilities for "designing" offspring to fit infinite possibilities is as amazing as it is concerning. How far is too far?

PLEASE NOTE: Images and descriptions displayed in this museum may be disturbing for some viewers.

Discretion advised.

“CUTTING”-EDGE TECHNOLOGY

The new gene-editing technology, CRISPR is being used to remove and replace undesirable genes in human DNA.

[Image: The Bulletin (2018). A hand is holding a scalpel which is being used to cut a section of DNA]

DESIGNER BABY

In 2000, the Nash family decided to design their second child to save the life of their first born child.

[Image: Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News. Depiction of a fetus in a test tube. Behind the tube is a magnifying glass looking at DNA strands.]

CONSENT IN STEM CELL RESEARCH

Your cells can end up being somebody's research without you even realizing.

[image: Healthline (2017), tool manipulating an embryonic stem cell]

GENE THERAPY EXPERIMENTATION?

Experiment or therapy?

[image: Engadget (2017), tool used to pull out a section of DNA]

FETAL TISSUE USED TO DEVELOP POLIO VACCINE

After being introduced in 1952, the polio vaccine was wildly popular and completely eradicated polio in the United States by 1979. However, the methods used to create this vaccine were highly controversial then and still are in our world today.

[Image: Dr. Ole Isacson, National Institutes of Health, 2015, Cluster of induced pluripotent stem cells .]

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