Is there any implication in TFA that this would work? It appears to work on a pathway which converts collagen to bone, if that is already happening, would adding this drug make it happen more? is there any "more" to happen?
I am possibly wrong, but from what I've read, this medicine allows the body to produce its own natural supply of the protein in question (which would otherwise be defective). It shouldn't increase the quantity produced, just allow what is produced to work.
I'm not sure this particular treatment would actually do anything, since it acts against a genetic mutation causing dwarfism, but I'm not a doctor. Anyways rich parents are already doing things like this, and we haven't even hit the inflection point with CRISPR on the horizon. Assuming my hypothetical son wanted it, I would try to provide it. Humans are biased and tall men command unearned respect simply because of stature. It's not fair but it's also irrefutable.
You shouldn't be downvoted - there was a recent episode of This American Life talking about this trend. Pediatric Endocrinologists are prescribing growth hormone to otherwise healthy kids who are on the short side of the height spectrum. This is typically at the rich parents demand. The treatment is often not covered under insurance and can cost hundreds of thousands over a few years.
So yes, rich parents are already juicing their kids up on HGH to give them an extra inch or two of height. It's not the same exact treatment as the OP but it is happening today.
It's much harder to verify that a drug doesn't have side effects than that it has less side effects than an illness.
The problem with giving it to healthy children is that it could make their lives worse even though they get taller (otherwise I see no problem with taking it).
