2016 Segment 10 - Infant and Maternal Mortality Rate Reduction

[Paul Terlemezian]

Outcome: Infant and maternal mortality at childbirth will be eliminated globally.

Panelists:

• Kellie Huff https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelliehuff
• Hannah Nguyen https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahnguyen85

"Remarkable" Speaker:

Moderator:

How might we build a solution that results in the stated outcome?

Is the stated outcome desirable? Attainable?

How can you help us achieve it? Or - is there a better outcome that you can suggest?

[Paul Terlemezian]

We may learn from how the healthcare industry approaches building solutions as it deals with inherent conflicts such as cost, ethics, behavior, environment and access. As you watch this video - imagine that Monica Oss is talking about education instead of healthcare -

http://georgialearnsnow.ning.com/video/video/editMultiple?uploadBat...

[Kellie Huff]

I appreciated the opportunity to examine this topic during the 2016 Georgia Learns conference.  

We discussed global data collection, reporting, need for accuracy of data and a standardized definition as well as the differences that define contributing factors of high infant mortality rates in the developing countries versus the developed countries of our planet.

The goal of improving infant mortality rates in America appears to offer two choices: 1) follow the lead of the top 4 developed countries with the lowest infant mortality levels which share these common factors:  a) few unwed mothers (greater number of intact family units and extended families), b) high maternal education, c) low maternal stress, d) nutrition that excludes processed foods and GMOs, e) abortion laws that are restriction and thus uncommon or 2) develop and expand use of technology to decrease infant mortality and potential lessen the role of the woman as bearer of children and future generations

(ie.,  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAhjPd4uNFY

Genetic Engineering Will Change Everything Forever – CRISPR)

Question:  As CRISPR babies (the first one was born in China in 2016) proliferate, the cost of "having" a CRISPR baby could be as high as $150 - $1MM (who knows?).  If a family (or government) invests that amount of money, you can be certain conversations will take place re: the optimal venue for gestation; a woman's womb or an external womb?  

I imagine the next 5 years will bring this discussion out of the laboratory, academia and ethics committee and into our dining room as we discuss the future of our families and communities. 

Thank you again, Kellie

[Paul Terlemezian]

Kellie - thanks for posting your research and stretching our minds!

It is fascinating to contemplate the questions related to CRISPR - Gene editing http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2016/10/31/crispr_and_gene_...

To think of the questions facing families today regarding finding the right mate based on religion, politics and social norms - soon science will be a factor as well - pro or con related to gene editing!