Three-parent babies | HTX Engelsk A | 21. august 2015
This study guide will help you focus on the topic of three-parent babies. We will show you examples from five texts that cover the topic and focus on the most significant elements that will be relevant for a discussion about three-parent babies. In these notes, we will focus on outlines, a discussion of pros and cons of three-parent babies, and on the future of three-parent babies.
Exam question
This study guide is based on the written exam in English A on HTX from 21st of August, 2015:
Write an essay, report from the future, contribution to a debate or a news article in which you discuss the topic of three-parent babies using the five sources:
I: CBS News: Is it OK to make babies from 3 parents’ DNA? (video)
II: BBC: Fiona Bruce: "There will be no going back for society" (video)
III: BBC: Rachel Kean has a family history of mitochondrial disease and says the technique could be hugely beneficial (video)
IV: BBC: MPs say yes to three-person babies (text)
V: BBC: ‘Designer babies’ debate should start, scientists say (text)
Presentation of the topic
Three-parent babies refers to babies created through a medical procedure which uses DNA from two women and a man. The procedure replaces a mother's defective mitochondria (tiny parts of a cell which produce energy) with healthy ones from another woman's egg. The donor woman only contributes with a small fraction of DNA (0.1%) to the future baby’s DNA.
The procedure has only been approved in the United Kingdom, after multiple debates and scientific studies, and is only intended for the purpose of replacing faulty mitochondria where families have a history of mitochondrial disease.
Even though it has been approved in the UK, the topic continues to be debated. While some call the procedure a life-saving medical innovation, others are concerned about ethics and unforeseen consequences for the future generations.
Further help
Do you want additional help with analysis of non-fiction? See our general guide to non-fiction analysis.
