'It's a Designer Baby!' - Opinions on Regulation of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis
UCLA Journal of Law & Technology, Vol. 3, 2005
31 Pages Posted: 8 Feb 2011
Date Written: February 7, 2005
Abstract
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is a procedure that identifies genetic defects in early embryos conceived via In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) techniques. PGD is currently used primarily, if not exclusively, for medical purposes. As the array of possible applications of PGD is expanding, some of the projected uses of genetic screening are controversial, especially those involving non- medical motivations. With the looming array of possibilities associated with genetic screening, some kind of regulation of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis is necessary. The regulation should be carefully crafted, and should not be used as a vehicle to promulgate moral views disguised as a federal statute. The decision to conduct prenatal genetic diagnosis tests for various purposes should be made by the couple, after informed consent. The costs of PGD for health purposes should be carried by health insurance in order to prevent social inequalities. A competent authority should safeguard the quality of the genetic tests. Regulation and practice should be in a symbiotic relationship, and they should be constantly informing each other.
Keywords: preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), genetic screening
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