Ethical concerns to the use of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis in the Gulf Cooperative Council states

Ethical concerns to the use of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis in the Gulf Cooperative Council states

Eskandarani, Hamza Ali

11/20/07

English

20071120

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) makes pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) possible, allowing embryos to be screened genetically before placement in the uterus, by analyzing the DNA from a single cell after amplification by polymerase chain reaction and/or the use of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique. However, many objections have been raised against genetic screening of embryos, giving the practice an uncertain ethical, legal, and social status. We have, therefore, aimed to survey the possible presence and compliance to any legislation for the PGD practice in the existing sixty IVF centres in the GCC States. The PGD techniques, mainly FISH analyses, were practiced in three centres in Saudi Arabia only, even though many IVF centres were contemplating the PGD program. The under utilization of PGD testing was the result of the high cost of tests and the sophisticated technology involved in such program, and the poor returns of the investment. In general, however there were some deficiencies in the legislation which regulated the PGD practice and its compliance to guidelines. Consequently, the involved medical team often faced difficulties on what rights to exercise in some PGD cases.

15.2

15.2;14.4;15.1

embryos--[pri];genetic intervention--[pri];genetic screening--[pri];moral status--[pri];preimplanatation diagnosis--[pri]

clinical ethics;economics;embryo disposition;in vitro fertilization;legal aspects;questionnaire;reproductive medicine;reproductive technologies

Gulf Cooperative Council--[pri]

intracytoplasmic sperm injection

Second Pan Arab Human Genetics Conference. Ethical Perspectives on Genetic Applications in the Arab World;Dubai, UAE;2007 November 20-22;Center for Arab Genomic Studies, Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department

Conference Proceedings:Second Pan Arab Human Genetics Conference. Ethical Perspectives of Genetic Applications in the Arab World2007 November 20-22:6 p.

© CAGS 2017. All rights reserved.

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