National
Genetically selected baby born in Sevilla to save his brother
By h.b.
Oct 15, 2008 - 6:35 AM

The first Spanish baby genetically chosen so that he can help the health of his brother has been born in Sevilla.

The six year old brother, Andrés, has a type of very serious anaemia, called Beta Thalassemia, and now stem cells from the umbilical cord of the brother, genetically selected to ensure he does not have the condition, will be used to carry out a bone marrow transplant.

The chosen baby, Javier, who came in at 3.4kilos, has been born in the Virgen del Rocio Hospital in Sevilla in what is the first case of its type were the entire procedure is being carried out in Spain.

Parents Soledad Puertas and Andrés Mariscal, have given their thanks to the medical team of 31 doctors and 14 researchers, but don’t claim to understand exactly what is going on, considering only what is the best for their son.
Researches say the procedure should have a 90% success rate.

Javier Mariscal and his wife Soledad Puertas, with their baby free of the hereditary illness - Photo EFE