Genetic disorders
Sir: Andrew Gimson's review of the pre- sent state of embryo experimentation (`In- humanity beyond conception', 5 April) was admirable. It tended, however, to present a more optimistic assessment of the possi- bility of preventing chromosomal and genetic disorders than the facts warranted. Each year, 630,000 infants are born in England and Wales including 1,000 infants with Down's Syndrome, 400 with Cystic Fibrosis and 100 with Muscular DystrophY• If the many difficulties inherent in embrY° biopsy were to be overcome by embrY° experimentation would 630,000 fertile cou- ples relinquish their procreative role to the IVF laboratories? If they did, would facili- ties for such screening ever be made available within the NHS?
Peter Doherty
Secretary, Guild of Catholic Doctors, Southwark Branch, 60 Nassau Road, London SW13
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