Ethical Considerations in Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis: a Systematic Review

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is the method of diagnosis of genetic disorders in the primary embryo. There are various ethical considerations for this technique. This study was designed to review ethical issues regarding PGD systematically. A comprehensive online search was done of data bases, books and websites and all eligible articles and documents retrievied were reviewed thoroughly and systematically. There are different ethical, legal and moral views and opinions about PGD in various religions cultures and different countries. In some countries such as Germany, there are rigid regulations about PGD indications that have strictly restricted its application while in other countries there are no special regulations for control or application of this technique. The same goes for different religions. Some religions have strict orthodox perspectives about application of this technique and do not permit their followers to use this new technology or permit it only for very limited cases. Some others like Islam have more flexible view and perspective and permit application of this technology for human health. Practical specific instructions and regulations should be developed worldwide for use of this method and its indications and the implementation of these instructions should be monitored precisely to avail of its potential benefits, and prevent any diversion and immoral use of these technologies, to preserve human dignity.