The Pros And Cons Of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis

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There are also social implications arising from the process of PGD, as it’s a heavily discussed topic with very controversial viewpoints. Social Implications include economic, ethical, cultural and environmental factors.

Economic implications: ()
Economically, the biopsies and tests of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis cost around $15,000 NZD privately funded, very expensive for a middle income household. This poses the question ‘Is PGD only available to those that are rich?’. In New Zealand, only 40 cycles of PGD/IVF are funded by the ministry of health each year due to the lack of availability of the technology needed for PGD therefore the need is failing to match the demand. As there is a lack of technology available in NZ, people are …show more content…

PGD is used to screen the embryo to check whether the embryo will develop the same disorder, the existing child has as well as determining if the child is a donor match with their future sibling.

During PGD, the embryos found to have a genetic abnormality are discarded of immediately, keeping only the embryos considered genetically ‘normal’. This has an ethical implication on society. Many believe life begins the moment an embryo is created and destroying this embryo is destroying a life form. In the article ‘Ethical Issues Arising from Use of the Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis’,Sarah Alsamarai’s, a medical resident at George Washington University hospital, expresses that the notion of avoiding the creation of disabled people infuriates members of the disabled community. Alsamarai says there is an underlying belief in selecting embryos that people with disabilities are “better off unborn” Rather than essentially try to decrease the number of disabled persons, she feels society should undergo a serious change in attitude toward the disabled and adopt a more tolerant stance. Activists have pointed out to her that people with disabilities still maintain rewarding and meaningful lives. It’s clear members of the disabled community are bothered by the process of PGD as they feel it’s insinuating that a disability is seen as an unacceptable trait seen in and offspring and Alsamarai advocates for