The Church of England has warned that human genetics should be developed for the purpose of therapy only, and not for the enhancement of the foetus, in a submission by the Church's Mission and Public Affairs Council to the consultation Choosing the Future, run by the Human Genetics Commission.

The Rt Revd Tom Butler, Bishop of Southwark and Vice-Chair for Public Affairs said "We are concerned with the possible excessive burden of choice that early genetic screening may give people". He warned that "PGD (preimplantation genetic diagnosis) could medicalise normal and harmless genetic differences so that people feel themselves to be abnormal and seek treatment to become normal, ie genetically 'perfect'".

The Bishop also warned against the 'commodification' of children. "We remain concerned that the acceptability of 'saviour siblings' tips us on to a slippery slope, where individuals are increasingly seen only as a means to an end and not as an end in themselves".

On the question of abortions following prenatal diagnosis of genetic disorders, the Bishop pointed out that "The person is valuable and should be distinguished from the disabling condition that he or she may have. Only those genetic abnormalities which are very seriously disabling can justify late abortion".

Note to Editors

The Human Genetics Commission is responsible for advising the Government in human genetics, and is seeking views on prenatal screening, genetic services (where IVF embryos are screened for genetic disorders before implantation) and also developments in genetics.