Making 'designer babies' is a controversial subject throughout the world. Many scientists and doctors say it would cure many sick children, but some worry that this could be the beginning of ominous things to come.

Thalassemia major is a serious genetic disorder that causes insufficiency of red blood cells. Zain Hashmi, the child in the case, has to have regular transfusions plus loads of medications throughout the day.

Long, Hard Battle

Doctors aim to take stem cells from his newborn sibling's umbilical cord and transplant them into Zain.

"It is nice to know that society has now embraced the technology to cure the sick and take away the pain," said Mrs. Hashmi, the boy's mother. "It has been a long and hard battle for all the family, and we have finally heard the news we wanted to hear."

Making "designer babies" is a controversial subject throughout the world. Many scientists and doctors say it would cure many sick children, but some worry that this could be the beginning of ominous things to come.

Background Information on Thalassemia

Thalassemia is a disorder of the blood. Blood contains three types of cells: red cells, which carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues; white cells, which act against infections; and platelets, which help blood to clot.

In thalassemia, the white cells and platelets are normal, but the red cells are small and too few in number. It is a form of anemia. As a result, someone with a severe form of thalassemia gets tired very easily, and needs blood transfusions to remain healthy.

There are many different types of thalassaemia and many different degrees of severity. The full name of the commonest form of severe thalassemia is "beta thalassemia major," which affects boys and girls equally.

Babies are well at birth, but as months go by they become pale and tired, feed poorly and fail to thrive. Blood transfusions restore them to health by correcting the anemia, but as the transfused red cells are used up, the anemia returns. So children with thalassemia major need a blood transfusion every few weeks.

If a child with thalassemia major is not treated, the liver and the spleen in the abdomen become very large, and the abdomen swells. The heart does not work well. As the years go by, the bones grow abnormally, and, in severe cases, the head and face develop a characteristic appearance. There are many other complications. Many affected children die as babies if they do not receive regular blood transfusions.