By Kayla Walker
The increased frequency of in vitro fertilization and the use of modern technology was discussed by freelance writer Robin Marantz Henig, at the University on Nov. 10.
Henig discussed her latest book, “Pandora’s Baby: How the First Test-Tube Babies Sparked the Reproductive Revolution,” which touches on stem-cell research, cloning and designer babies.
Henig began her presentation by asking how many audience members were in vitro fertilization (IVF) babies. She said it would have been considered impolite to ask this question 30 years ago. In 1973, when the first attempt at IVF was made, there was a great amount of social backlash.
“It seems hard to believe today, when the procedure is so routine that it’s covered by most medical insurance, that IVF in 1973 was thought by some to threaten the very fabric of civilization,” Henig wrote in the prologue to her book.
Henig said many questions that have risen from the controversy over designer babies and cloning are similar to the questions that were asked in the 70s, such as, “Can traditional family values survive?” and “Will children and parents still love each other?”
A large part of Henig’s presentation revolved around the first attempt at IVF that failed because a hospital administrator destroyed the eggs and sperm. The parents, John and Doris Del-Zio, sued the hospital for damages and a jury decided to grant them a limited amount of compensation. However, when the first IVF baby, Louise Brown, was born in England, people were less understanding, claiming she “has no soul.”
Henig said in order to make educated choices regarding the leaders that make decisions on scientific research, “We need to have a scientifically literate populace.” While there is a slope involved, it is not as slippery as some might make it out to be.
“That’s how progress is made,” Henig said. “Results of IVF have been very positive: improved prenatal care and a decrease in birth defects are just some of the effects.”
After giving the formal part of her presentation, Henig left time for questions from the audience.
When asked about how realistic designer babies are, Henig replied cosmetic genes, such as the genes that control height or baldness, might be uncovered and designer babies are a reality. However, Henig believes the public must be made aware that cloning doesn’t make the same exact person because “everything else about your life will be different than the original.”
Henig explained education and forums such as the one held at the University, are important to creating a scientifically literate public. Henig reported Columbia University, where her husband teaches, doesn’t require a science class in its two years of required core classes.
“The most interesting thing that Henig presented was her call for a more intensely scientifically educated public,” Sarah Catherine Ginolfi, a freshman psychology major, said. “I think it’s very true that most people today only rely on what the media tells us.”
Henig ended her presentation by answering whether the government should take more responsibility on producing an informed populous.
“I think the government has a vested interest in an informed public,” Henig said.
Dr. Jaqueline Grennon-Brooks in the department of Curriculum and Teaching said the IDEAS lecture series presents cutting edge and controversial topics that engage and instruct students.
“We are living in a dangerous time, a time in which the freedoms and human rights that many people in our historycourageously fought to establish are being eroded,” Grennon-Brooks said. “Writers like Ms.Henig give the general citizenry the opportunity to respond to current research in a reasoned, scientifically literate light. It’s now up to us to learn what we need to learn to carry on the important work of exploring new frontiers of learning, some of which have been currently placed out of bounds by governmental sanctions. It is our job to keep the frontier within reach.”