The use of In vitro fertilisation (IVF) and Pre- implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a socio-scientific issue. I am going to look into this issue in my report, integrating biological knowledge to develop an informed response to this topic.
A “Socio-scientific Issue (SSI) is a controversial social issue which relates to science. They are ill-structured, open-ended problems which have multiple solutions.”
(Wikipedia is not the best website for gaining accurate and up to date information as anyone can change things on the source. However, in my case as I am only using a minor definition from the source so it is not such a big deal as definitions don’t change)
PGD is definitely a socio-scientific issue as it is controversial social issue that relates to science. There are many opinions on use of PGD and there are many solutions for the use of it.
“In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a reproductive technology in which an egg is removed from a woman, joined with a sperm cell from a man in a test tube (in vitro). The cells fuse to form single cell called a zygote, which then starts dividing, becoming an embryo. When the zygote/embryo is only a few cells large, it is implanted in the woman’s uterus, and, if successful, will develop as a normal embryo.”
Once IVF has taken place and the embryo is obtained, before it is implanted, it can be tested using a process called pre- implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).
“Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is generally defined as the
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a form of genetic testing. It is similar to the screening of abnormal chromosome count only used to test for genetic diseases. The fertility institutes have used this to take gender selection to the next level. Stating that this has a greater than 99,9% success rate.
PGD is known as pre-implantation genetic diagnosing. I do not think it is ethical to design and conceive a child that meets specific genetic requirements. I do not feel that this is an ethical reason to conceive a child. Rather, I believe all children should be seen as blessings or gifts, not sacrificial genetic progeny.
Therapeutic genetic manipulation is preformed by doctors to prevent diseases that the baby is carrying. The baby is tested by screening the embryo for any possible unknown diseases. Sometimes the PGD or preimplantation genetic diagnosis technique is used for this ("Biotechnology special focus"). The main diseases PGD is used to test for in babies are Hunntington's disease, Tay-sacks, Alzheimers, Familia cancers, Sickle Cell disease, Hemophilia, Neurofibromatosis, Fanconi's Anemia, Cystic fibrosis and most recently, Down's Syndrome ("Hooray for designer babies", 2002). This technique involves removing the unfertilized egg from the female, mating it with a sperm and then testing it for diseases. If all the diseases are absent, the fertilized egg is planted into the mother's uterus to develop into a baby. Some other unpredictable diseases may also be carried in the baby's chromosomes. Chromosome carrying diseases and disorders include: miscarriage of the baby, physical birth defects or down syndrome (Biotechnology special focus").
United States genetic centers now offer DNA tests for over 30 or 40 of the more commonly inherited disorders. Those including cystic fibrosis, susceptibility to breast cancer, X syndrome, Huntington’s disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and many other various disorders (Golden). Also, with recent developments, couples are able to have a pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). This procedure allows the testing of genetic disorders before germination. It consists of “petri-dish” testing of sperm and egg cells donated by the soon to be parents. This procedure prevents the idea of abortion, for if genetic problems occur, you are not destroying a fetus, but simple flushing away embryo cells.
One advantage is the ability to reduce the risk for diseases. Through procedures like pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), one can inspect embryos created by in vitro fertilization (IVF) for many genetic conditions (Macklin, 2014, para. 1). While this process can be extremely beneficial ensuring the health of future generations, it can be misused in many ways.
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is a procedure used to identify genetic faults in embryos created with In-Vitro Fertilization. In the movie, GATTACA, PGD is the social standard. I disagree with the widespread use of PGD.
PGD is performed with IVF and followed by genetic screening for mutant gene. IVF stage, eggs are collected and fertilized by sperm in the laboratory to produce Zygotes. Then, these Zygotes carry on to growing in the laboratory for 3 days until reached eight cells stage. Biopsy of embryo is performed and extracted blastomere from each 6-8 cell stage embryo. Then, cell undergoes genetic screening for mutant gene. Un-carrier and unaffected embryos are transferred into mother’s uterus with confident no CF mutant gene for ensuring a quality of life for baby (Destouni, 2016).
Sarah Alsamarai is a university student who conducted a research report on PGD. Although she shared her concerns she was overall for PGD. She said that PGD can be used as an effective tool to prevent the birth of a seriously ill child. Her opinion was that parents should have the right to use existing embryo screening tests to determine all possible characteristics of offspring. Unless a tangible harm to
‘In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)’, is an article that has been published on the Better Health website by the Victorian Government, written with the purpose to educate and inform the reader of IVF related information and the process. The writing is clear, succinct and easy to follow and is therefore aimed at members of the general public who are interested in the IVF process. The article outlines the IVF procedure, risk and possible side effects and is claims that it was written for educational purposes only.
Pre-Implantation genetic screening is a technology used to accumulated genetic information of any chromosomal diseases that might be present in an embryos was produced Via vitro fertilization1. The PGD technology allows parents with a history of an inherited chromosomal illness to overcome any potential genetic diseases that their fertilized embryos might carry. This technology provides an access for doctors to treat
“In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is a procedure in which eggs (ova) from a woman 's ovary are removed. In a laboratory procedure, they are fertilised with a sperm, and then the fertilized egg (embryo) is returned to the woman 's uterus.” (Medicine, 2007) IVF is a process in which the egg is fertilised outside of the body (as seen in figure 1). IVF is not the only assisted reproductive technology, however, is the most commonly known and most successful. Other assisted reproductive technologies include: Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI), Hormonal therapy for men or surgery. Conception using IVF includes the following biological process:
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (or PGD) is a testing procedure used when either parent has been diagnosed with a genetic abnormality. Testing is performed on the embryos to determine if they are carriers of the genetic abnormality before implantation.
Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a technique used to screen and diagnose embryos for genetic and chromosomal diseases. This treatment is often used for couples that carry genetic disorders or diseases and want to prevent their offspring from inheriting these. PGD is available for couples who may have had multiple miscarriages or infertility problems, or who have had previous affected children (Scriven, 2011). In the last decade non-medical related uses for this technology such as sex selection, has become an increasingly prevalent reality. The use of PGD for this purpose is a controversial issue that raises ethical, social and financial issues around the world.
In the United States, an estimated 2.3 million couples are considered infertile [Wekesser, 1996]. This creates a large need for infertility specialists and clinics specializing in fertility treatments. With the quickly advancing field of rep roductive services and the quest for creating better, healthier babies, a new service called Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is being offered in conjunction with In vitro fertilization.
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis or PGD is the process of genetic testing of an embryo for serious genetic diseases before implanting it in the uterus. IVF or In Vitro Fertilisation is the manual fertilisation of an egg by adding sperm in a laboratory and then added into the uterus. Both of these procedures are used internationally for many couples who rely on this technology to be able to have children.