Preimplantation genetic diagnosis in Saudi Arabia: parents' experience and attitudes.
BACKGROUND
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) has been proposed as an alternative to prenatal diagnosis (PND). This study compares the attitudes towards PGD of four groups of parents in Saudi Arabia: two groups at genetic risk for different conditions but with no experience of PGD procedures and two groups who had experience, either of PGD or of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) for infertility.


METHODS
One hundred and eighty four participants attending the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC) in Riyadh were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire: 49 had children affected by a haemoglobin disorder, 48 had children with non-syndromic deafness, 37 were attending the PGD service and 50 were attending IVF services for infertility.


RESULTS
Opinions in the two genetic groups were very similar: families were enthusiastic about PGD and relatively unconcerned about its technical limitations or the desirability of a confirmatory PND. The technical limitations of PGD and the moral status of embryos were of greatest concern to the PGD group. Waiting for the pregnancy result was the most commonly mentioned concern in the PGD and IVF groups.


CONCLUSIONS
PGD might be considered for a range of conditions in Saudi Arabia. However, it is not an easy option, and couples must be selected and counselled appropriately.
Alsulaiman
Ayman
A
Department of Genetics, Research Center King Faisal Hospital and RC, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. asulaiman@kfshrc.edu.sa
Al-Odaib
Ali
A
Al-Rejjal
R
R
Rijjal
Al
A
Hewison
Jenny
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003638:Deafness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006453:Hemoglobinopathies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D019836:Preimplantation Diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult