Ambivalent attitudes towards pre-implantation genetic diagnosis in Germany.
BACKGROUND
Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a modern technique in reproductive medicine which can be used to diagnose genetic disorders of an embryo. PGD is currently not legal in Germany, still there are debates being held regarding the issue of legalization. Both the internationally "accepted" indications and new or alternative approaches can lead to complex ethical dilemmas. The attitudes towards PGD have rarely been assessed in the general population.


METHODS
In our study, 2110 persons aged 18-50 years were interviewed about their attitudes towards PGD and related topics. We assumed that religion, world views and the evaluation of PGD would influence the attitude a person has towards this procedure.


CONCLUSIONS
In our survey, the majority of respondents would agree to a restricted legalization of PGD in Germany. Our results also confirmed some of our assumptions but religion did not have the expected influence. The evaluation of costs and benefits of PGD and the feelings associated with this technique explained more of the final attitude whether PGD should remain prohibited in Germany or not. The agreement to a restricted legalization may be connected to an overall rejection of prohibitions made by the state concerning the individual reproductive autonomy.
Finck
Carolyn
C
Department for Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig AöR, Stephanstrasse 11, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany. carolyn.finck@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Meister
Ulrike
U
Stöbel-Richter
Yve
Y
Borkenhagen
Ada
A
Brähler
Elmar
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D019836:Preimplantation Diagnosis / Q000941:ethics* / Q000523:psychology*; D011639:Public Opinion; D012067:Religion; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires