Question

In 400 words make an ethical argument regarding the use of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis with selective implantation. Does this type of biotechnology advance or impede the common good? Make sure that you take into consideration the risks, burdens, and benefits.

Answer 1

Pre- implantation genetic diagnosing

Pre-implantation genetic testing is referred as profiling of an embryo prior to implant into the uterus in the case of invitro fertilization. This is useful to find out the genetic disorder in an embryo and implant the good embryo to the uterus .

Indication

:genetic abnormalities such as down syndrome, sickle cell anemia, Huntington syndrome etc,

:advanced maternal age.

:increased male pattern infertility

Benefits of pre-implantation diagnosis

Lot of benefits are associated with PGD. The benefits include

:decrease the risk of miscarriage

:detect the chromosomal problems earlier and prevent the transfer of inherited gene embryo to uterus .

:reduse the risk of multiple pregnancy.

:protect the parents from birth of genetic defect child like their parents .

Risks associated with pre-implantation diagnosis

:it is more expensive.

:biopsy of an embryo lead to damage the embryo it will lead to another birth defect by using this test.

:it is not sure that all results are true so there is a possibility of unhealthy embryo can transfer and healthy embryo can be discard.

:PGD need In vitro fertilization and it have risk of multiple pregnancy, hyperstimulatiin of ovarian syndrome and increased risk of birth defects.

Ethical concerns related to pre-implantation diagnosis

Greater number of ethical issues are concerned with this testing. First one is associated with discarding of embryo. As per traditional view and religious views the right and value of an embryo get affected .this is one of the ethical concern. The test reveals problems in chromosome but not describe the what problems have in future life. Discarding of unhealthy embryo prevent the protection of embryo right and value.

Ethical committee suggest that if the doctor find the transfer of embryo will result in birth of genetic inherited babies, the doctor can discard the embryo with out consent from parents. This may break the autonomy of parents. But it can be justified in the manner of possible benefit in the future .

Other consideration is that the parent may select the embryo based on sex. It is not acceptable and lead to a greater ethical problems.

In other one is sibling saving in the case of bone marrow transplantation. The parents are intentionally going for in vitro fertilization and transfer embryo based on the matching bone marrow with their children to save the child by transplantation of matching bone marrow. Putting of saviour child in a risk during medical procedure is a major ethical consideration.

As an ethical view it is acceptable in the manner of good that is preventing the birth of severely genetic defects child.

This technology have good role in some aspect and another aspect it is not good. Good in the aspect of birth of healthy baby and prevent risk of miscarriage and multiple pregnancy.

In another aspect it can be given failed result and result in discard of healthy embryo and parent selection of embryo is also not good.