by Stella O’Malley, UnHerd
What happens to a child born without a mother? We don’t yet know. For all of human history, every child has had a mother. But now we are contemplating a world where that may no longer be true; and while the psychological consequences are unknowable, they will be profound.
The Telegraph reported this week that American researchers have made a major breakthrough by successfully replacing the DNA from an egg with the genetic material from another person’s skin. Although this research is in the very early stages, that means it may soon be possible to grow an embryo without DNA from a biological mother. While surrogacy has made it possible to separate biological from gestational mothers, this new practice — if ever combined with artificial wombs — could mean the removal of both.
It should be noted that this is, of course, some way off being fully realised. But what is unsettling is that our cultural imagination is already adapting to this disembodied and motherless possibility. Instead of pausing to reflect on the consequences, it is cast as an inevitable milestone in the relentless march of progress. The language of liberation and choice is rolled out, while those who raise awkward questions about children’s health or emotional needs are dismissed as divisive or old-fashioned. Once again, we risk ignoring the wisdom of the ages in our rush to the next breakthrough.