title: The interface between assisted reproductive technologies and genetics: technical, social, ethical and legal issues.
abstract: The interface between assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and genetics comprises several sensitive and important issues that affect infertile couples, families with severe genetic diseases, potential children, professionals in ART and genetics, health care, researchers and the society in general. Genetic causes have a considerable involvement in infertility. Genetic conditions may also be transmitted to the offspring and hence create transgenerational infertility or other serious health problems. Several studies also suggest a slightly elevated risk of birth defects in children born following ART. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) has become widely practiced throughout the world for various medical indications, but its limits are being debated. The attitudes towards ART and PGD vary substantially within Europe. The purpose of the present paper was to outline a framework for development of guidelines to be issued jointly by European Society of Human Genetics and European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology for the interface between genetics and ART. Technical, social, ethical and legal issues of ART and genetics will be reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Genetics, University of Turku, Turku, Finland, and Archbishop Hospital and Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus.
authors.forename: Sirpa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Soini
authors.forename: Dolores
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ibarreta
authors.forename: Violetta
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Anastasiadou
authors.forename: Ségolène
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aymé
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Braga
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cornel
authors.forename: Domenico A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Coviello
authors.forename: Gerry
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Evers-Kiebooms
authors.forename: Joep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Geraedts
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gianaroli
authors.forename: Joyce
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harper
authors.forename: György
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kosztolanyi
authors.forename: Kersti
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lundin
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rodrigues-Cerezo
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sermon
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sequeiros
authors.forename: Lisbeth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tranebjaerg
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kääriäinen
mesh_terms: D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy; D007878:Legislation as Topic; D008297:Male; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*