Designer Babies and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis

Introduction 2. What is Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis?

1.
a. b. c.

Process of PGD Development of PGD Risks and limits of PGD HLA Matching to save an older child Adult onset diseases Sex selection Selection for a disability

3.
a. b.

Four Additional Ways to Use PGD

c.
d.

4.

Conclusion

1. Introduction
Designer babies

PGD: genetic testing of embryos before selection

Way to have a healthy child Possibility to use PGD to select other characteristics Rise of ethical questions

1.

Introduction
a. b. c.

2. What is Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis?

Process of PGD Development of PGD Risks and limits of PGD

3.
a. b.

Four Additional Ways to Use PGD

HLA Matching to save an older child Adult onset diseases Sex selection Selection for a disability

c.
d.

4.

Conclusion

a. Process of PGD

Egg extraction

IVF

Cell biopsy

Genetic analysis

Embryo transfer

b. Development of PGD
Originally developed for families affected by serious

genetic illnesses Recently used to improve success rates in infertility treatment Also used nowadays to select characteristics not related to health issues

c. Risks and
Risks to the embryo

limits of PGD

Not all diseases or non-health-related traits can be clearly

diagnosed Not all characteristics of future children can be selected No new genetic characteristics Requires IVF

Introduction 2. What is Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis?

1.
a. b. c.

Process of PGD Development of PGD Risks and limits of PGD

HLA Matching to save an older child Adult onset diseases Sex selection Selection for a disability

3.
a. b.

Four Additional Ways to Use PGD

c.
d.

4.

Conclusion

a. HLA Matching to Save an Older Child

Have a baby who is an immunological match for an

existing seriously ill child Known as Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) typing

b. Adult Onset Diseases

For mutations indicating risk for an adult-onset disease

c. Sex Selection
To avoid a genetic disease caused

by a mutation on the X chromosome To satisfy preferences of future parents (non-medical sex selection)

d. Selection for a Disability

Select an embryo for the presence of a disease or disability

Introduction 2. What is Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis?

1.
a. b. c.

Process of PGD Development of PGD Risks and limits of PGD HLA Matching to save an older child Adult onset diseases Sex selection Selection for a disability

3.
a. b. c. d.

Four Additional Ways to Use PGD

4.

Conclusion

4. Conclusion
Ethical issues

Increased societal inequality

Expense, discomfort and risks

References
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis and Parental

Preferences: Beyond Deadly Disease, Susannah Baruch, J.D, Houston Journal of Health Law & Policy, 2008