Hailu 1 !

Fikadu Hailu Prof. Laurie A. Rinehart-Thompson AM-591 April 12, 2012 Genetic manipulation and Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PIGD) Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PIGD) is a state of the art medical technology, which has been deployed to test chromosomal abnormalities. Single cells taken from embryos are diagnosed for defects or genetic mutations that could potentially result in defected chromosomes. PIGD has been used for different practical applications from diagnosis of single gene disorder to selection of female embryos. Perhaps in its recent implementation, it is being used to increase the implantation rates of embryos for cases of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). IVF is the process of manually combining an egg and a sperm in a laboratory before the resulting embryo is implanted into a uterus. This method of fertilizing an egg and a sperm outside of the body has been around for over a decade, but its success rate has not been that impressive. IVFs success rate is low mainly because of the low rate of implantation, defined as the ratio of the number of fetal hearts detected to the number of cleavage-stage embryos transferred, is at best approximately 15 to 20 percent, even in experienced centers (Wilton, 1). The unfortunate outcome, early termination of pregnancy, is primarily as a result of defected chromosomes. This is where PIGD

Hailu 2 !

comes into play. Embryos created with IVF are analyzed to test for the presence of any abnormality that could potentially threaten a healthy pregnancy. It helps to determine if an embryo is free of known genetic defects before it is implanted into a uterus. Only those embryos that passed the genetic test are transferred into the womb; thereby increasing the rate of implantation although success cannot be guaranteed. This is very useful especially in women of older age, where the decline in the rate of implantation of embryos is highly linked with aneuploid, abnormal number of chromosomes, making PIGD a vital tool in early diagnosis. PIGD is also used to lower the risk of sex linked genetic disorders by genetically manipulating chromosomes suspected of having a gene known to be linked with sex linked disorder. With advancement in genetic research, PIGD can be used to prevent even more genetic disorders, making this technology an ever-more powerful tool to improve the health of the future generation (Daar, 1). Like any new technology, cultural lag is clearly evident with the practical application of this new procedure. Because of the procedures close tie with IVF, it has become a target of critics who are concerned with the ethical and moral scopes of the procedure. The idea of human interference in the natural cycle of reproduction, as in the case of IVF and even abortion, has been the center of controversy for many decades. With the implementation of more new techniques and procedures like PIGD, the issue will continue to exist for many generations to come. Some question if we can justify ending a pregnancy, just to avoid some undesirable disorders. Where do we draw the line between acceptable and unacceptable cases for intervention? With more

Hailu 3 !

understanding of how genetic makeup manifests in the phenotype of individuals, who is to say that technologies like this will not be used to have a baby with desired eye color and height. The possible psychological impact on people born with disabilities because they could not get this service is yet another concern. Current implementation of PIGD is subject to strict guidelines and restriction set by the Human Fertilization and Embryology (HFE) act 1990, requiring a substantial risk of a serious handicap in the child that would be born before ending a pregnancy (Scott, 155). The risk assessment should be performed by more than one doctor for the result to be acceptable. Yet the fact that policies like this are in place is not enough for many. Therefore, the controversy is bound to be around for a while mainly focusing on the following few question: 1. should we interfere in the natural reproductive cycle? 2. Is it acceptable to make life or death decision for the unborn? 3. Is it morally acceptable to end a pregnancy, thereby ending a life, just to avoid possible risks and disabilities on the newborn?

Hailu 4 !

Works Cited Daar, Judith. "The Case for a Parental Duty to Use Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis for Medical Benefit.""The American Journal of Bioethics. By Janet Malek. Vol. 12. 3-11."Taylor & Francis Online. Ohio State University Libraries, 27 Mar. 2012. Web. 8 Apr. 2012. <http://www.tandfonline.com.proxy.lib.ohio-state.edu/doi/ full/10.1080/15265161.2012.656798>. Scott, Rosamund. "Choosing between Possible Lives: Legal and Ethical Issues in Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis.""Oxford Journal of Legal Studies"26.1 (2006), 153-178. Wilton, Leeanda, Robert Williamson, John McBain, David Edgar, and Lucille Voullaire. "Birth of a Healthy Infant after Preimplantation Confirmation of Euploidy by Comparative Genomic Hybridization.""The NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL of MEDICINE. 22 Nov. 2001. Web. 11 Apr. 2012. <http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/ 10.1056/NEJMoa011052>.