Use Of Ivf And Pre Implantation Genetic Diagnosis ( Pgd )

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.

A Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is a test that “allows future parents to detect genetic defects that cause inherited disease in human embryos before they are implanted.” One of the most ethical questions that one might ask before considering the PGD is whether the benefits of genetic knowledge outweigh harmful effects that occur to the embryo? Is it really worth manipulating embryos genes in order to achieve the desire of the parents? Often times we have to take into considerations the risk and benefits of each situation. I believe that the PGD test should be only be done to detect genetic defects, but it should not be used to manipulate genes in order to make what to them is a “perfect” child. As stated in our text, “ In the united Kingdom alteration of an embryos genes, even for gene therapy or cloning embryos is illegal.” By manipulating genes its like going against Gods wishes. In the eyes of God every person that comes into this world is equally seen as a human being because they are all created in “ the image of God.” In this case the parents should not be allowed to manipulate the genes of their unborn child just to accommodate to their

Embryonic tissue that was removed is first tested for genetic abnormalities. This is done so that the healthiest embryos are frozen and implanted. Dr. Timothy Yeko, a medical director of the assisted reproductive technology program at the Reproductive Medicine Group in Tampa, talked about the genetic testing, “ Most of our patients now choose to have this genetic testing, which has come into widespread use in the past year or so. By doing this , the miscarriage rate has dropped by 50 percent because the genetically abnormal embryos are the ones that end in miscarriage.”

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.

Transition: So what should we say about the positives and negatives of Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis?

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.

Currently it is only legally possible to carry out two types of advanced reproductive technologies on humans. The first involves choosing the sperm to fertilize the egg, which will determine the sex and the genes of the baby. The second technique screens embryos for a genetic disease and only selected embryos are implanted back into the mother’s womb. This is called Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD).

According to “Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis: Ethical or not?” Janet Malek, a bioethicist at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, states in quote “... people who carry a gene like GSS have a moral duty to use preimplantation diagnosis -- if they can afford it -- to spare the next generation.” end quote. Going by what she says and the high price of about $20,000, which means if you aren't extremely wealthy you won’t be able to afford this, so most of the population wouldn’t be able to afford this service. Which means it is only accessible to a select few, therefore making it less effective. Another and the final problem with this system is brought to light by David Wasserman, a ethicist at Yeshiva University and consultant, said in quote “there is no obligation to use it for diseases that do not start until adulthood. Eliminating embryos with such genes is essentially saying someone like Ms. Kalinsky should never have been born.” end quote. As true and controversial as Wasserman stated he speaks the truth. Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis should be reserved for either heavily crippling or life threatening diseases. Reasoning is if an adult contracts a disease such as GSS and then does have money to pay for a Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis procidure then should be allowed to get the operation, but for people who want to ensure the sex of their kid should find something else to spend their money

Pre-implantation genetic diagnostic testing is a technique that is used to identify and prevent genetic defects in the embryos of mothers through in vitro fertilization before pregnancy. The term “designer babies” is what is used to describe the result of this procedure. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis can cause new issues to arise through society, morality and even science, thus this procedure should be prevented. As these certain issues of society, morality and science combine together, it can lead a negative ripple effect on humanity.

Doctors have an important role in honor the patient’s autonomy by let them make their own decision in rather or not to have the embryos screen out for Tay-Sachs disease prior to fertilization. However, in this specific case we should also take in consideration the child’s best interest. The parents have already lost two children for the disease. As health care professionals we know that the couple still have a chance to produce an affected child since both of them are carriers. Therefore, we decided to do the Tay-Sachs PGD screening anyway, implant the healthy embryos and not disclose the fact that PGD was performed. In doing so the parents will have a chance to bear a healthy child who will have higher chance to have the best life possible.

I believe Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) should be allowed and accepted. It allows for a family to see what medical problems their child will endure if born. Both parents should agree to do this because one might not want to know and doesn’t care what problems their child might have. With this knowledge a couple will have the power to decide on whether to move on with having a baby or maybe decide to adopt one. PGD is controversial because it is done after conception; many feel that if the couple decides to kill the embryo it is still abortion. I feel as if everyone should have a choice, so if some people choose to abort it that’s fine. I wouldn’t want my baby to be born with a bunch of diseases that will restrict him from being like other kids or that will keep him in a hospital for most of his life. Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis is a good idea and it informs the parents what their and their child’s future will be like.

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis is a new way to test embryos for predisposed genetic diseases such as Huntington's disease or cystic fibrosis. Although Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis can be extremely expensive, it can eliminate genetic diseases and is a better alternative to amniocentesis. While preimplantation genetic diagnosis is around $50,000, lifelong medical care for a child with cystic fibrosis is over $300,000 and mental toll for you and your child. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis is a safe and effective way to implant embryos without genetic disorders and can make it possible for a child to live a healthy life. Hundreds of families each year use PGD to have a successful pregnancy and a healthy child. Amniocentesis is a test

However, another issue with PGD is that it itself is quite expensive, it costs approximately $13,000. This means that the wealthy may be the only ones who are able to afford the screening. “If the likelihood of genetic disease in the wealthy decreases and other citizens do not have access to PGD, will genetic disease perhaps be associated only with the economically unprivileged?” This problem, however, is somewhat resolved in New Zealand as the government usually funds the first two cycles. In some countries, such as the United States, Mexico, Italy, and Thailand, it is legal to chose the gender of the embryo through PGD. This is a major ethical implication, and many countries have banned it, including New Zealand and Australia. If this is allowed, it shows the beginning of creating ‘designer babies’, as parents are able to chose the gender. It is thought that if this is allowed, then eventually parents will be able to choose other features, such as eye colour and hair colour. Also, if the gender is able to be chosen, then it could cause a gender imbalance. In some cultures and societies, one gender is

Although PGD is a relatively new procedure, there are several ethical questions surrounding its use. One question is, "Should parents be allowed to choose characteristics for their children that are not related to disorders such as their baby’s eye color, personality, or even the sex of their baby?" [Wekesser,1996]. Until the genes responsible for inherited traits such as the previously mentioned are mapped, this is not an issue. If scientists do not know where the gene is located, they are unable to create a test determining the presence of the gene. However, because we do know how the sex of a child is determined, a specific gender can be screened for. Many believe that this should