But groups representing families affected by genetic disorders said the approach should not be ruled out altogether.
Although the drugs treat rare genetic disorders, each is expected to eventually bring in hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
Genetic screening, including prenatal screening for cystic fibrosis and other genetic disorders, accounts for a smaller piece of the market.
Though a physician would have tested the sperm for sexually transmitted diseases and certain genetic disorders, there are disincentives associated with going through a physician.
Genetic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy and haemophilia, are caused by mutant variations of normal genes which are unable to perform their proper function.
Several environmental groups no longer say that medical biotechnology, which offers the best hope for curing many diseases and the only hope of beating genetic disorders, should be outlawed.
It has become an expert at ferreting out hard-to-reach patients with obscure and potentially fatal genetic diseases--namely lysosomal storage disorders, a group of 40 genetic diseases marked by a deficient enzyme.
The Yale scientists then wondered if the males and females might actually be experiencing two distinct disorders at the genetic level.
Four genetic variants appeared to increase the risk of all five disorders studied.
"Using this group as a comparison group takes into account possible genetic or lifestyle factors associated with present or previous psychiatric disorders, " the researcher notes.
Recent research by the Eating Disorders Research Unit at the Institute of Psychiatry in London found that eating disorders could be due to the physical or genetic make-up of the brain.
When patients developed multiple conditions, they were more likely to get illnesses that had close genetic links to their original disease than they were to get other disorders.
The passage of the Orphan Drug Act in 1983 made it financially worthwhile for drug companies to chase treatments for disorders like multiple sclerosis, rare cancers, even rare genetic disease.
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Meanwhile, genetic carrier tests are more accurate because scientists know more about single gene disorders, such as Huntington's disease and sickle cell anemia, Faucett said.
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While many scientists talk of the benefits of genetic screening and genetic alteration, including most notably the potential for eliminating hereditary diseases and disorders, others are more skeptical and have great concerns about the technology.
Genetic Alliance, a network of more than 600 support groups representing patients with inherited disorders, is trying to set up a database of information about the diseases in question for researchers to consult.
Hayes said his organization supported the use of embryo screening to help prevent the passing on of serious diseases and disorders like Cystic Fibrosis, but is wary of other technologies and how genetic screening and alteration can be misused.
In particular, there's a strong genetic component to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as to several mood and anxiety disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
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