Preimplantation genetic diagnosis: technological promise and ethical perils.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the ethical issues inherent to the current and foreseeable uses of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).


METHODS
Review of ethical principles and their application to PGD.


METHODS
Academic medical center.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
A discussion of the current ethical perils surrounding the use of PGD, and a prediction of future ethical quandaries that will arise from the use of this technology.


RESULTS
Although PGD may be used to predict and prevent disease, it may also be used to determine nondisease traits. The ever-expanding ability of genetics to determine qualities of the preimplantation embryo continues to open up new ethical questions relating to the use of PGD for preimplantation diagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis is a powerful technique with many positive applications. As with all such new technologies, care should be taken to ponder the ethical implications of its use before routinely accepting PGD as a tool in the reproductive armamentarium.
Klipstein
Sigal
S
Harvard Medical School, Department of Social Medicine, Division of Medical Ethics, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
D005260:Female; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D019836:Preimplantation Diagnosis / Q000191:economics* / Q000941:ethics* / Q000639:trends*; D012743:Sex Preselection / Q000941:ethics