Saving Lives with Designer Babies? - Alan Trounson August 7, 2009

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Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2009/07/30/Genetic_Testing_The_Ultimate_Matchmaker

Dr. Alan Trounson discusses the ethics of genetically selecting offspring, highlighting a case where parents wanted to have another child to save their first one's life. He argues that situations like this are ethical, explaining "she's completely healthy. And they have a son, and both of them are loved."

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Personalized medicine holds great promise for treating maladies according to an individual's genomic profile. Companies in Switzerland, the US and Australia are working to commercialize this knowledge to offer patients a personalized map charting potential health risks so they can take appropriate action. There is even the possibility to offer match-making services based on DNA.

Swiss researchers are also taking up an important role by looking into the influence of stem cell research on this process. Where is stem cell research at today? How far are we from finding cures? Are creating the perfect babies and commercialized DNA just around the corner?

Join swissnex San Francisco for a intimate panel discussion with Prof. Georg A. Hollaender, Head of the laboratory of Pediatric Immunology at the University of Basel and Dr. Alan Trounson, Director of the California Center for Regenerative Medicine to flesh out these issues, with journalist Evan Ratliff on hand to moderate this timely conversation. - Swissnex

Alan Trounson, Ph.D., is Head of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Prior to this he was Professor of Stem Cell Sciences and Director, Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratories at Monash University, and the Founder of the National Biotechnology Centre of Excellence Australian Stem Cell Centre, as well as Global Scientific Strategy Advisor. Professor Trounson graduated from the University of New South Wales in 1971 with an M.Sc. in Wool and Pastoral Sciences. In 1974 he was awarded a Ph.D. in animal embryology by Sydney University. From 1974-1976 he was awarded the Dalgety Research Fellow at the ARC Institute of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry at Cambridge University. In 1977 he was appointed Senior Research Fellow at Monash University, and by 1984 was a Reader in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.