Practices and ethical concerns regarding preimplantation diagnosis. Who regulates preimplantation genetic diagnosis in Brazil?

Abstract

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) was originally developed to diagnose embryo-related genetic abnormalities for couples who present a high risk of a specific inherited disorder. Because this technology involves embryo selection, the medical, bioethical, and legal implications of the technique have been debated, particularly when it is used to select features that are not related to serious diseases. Although several initiatives have attempted to achieve regulatory harmonization, the diversity of healthcare services available and the presence of cultural differences have hampered attempts to achieve this goal. Thus, in different countries, the provision of PGD and regulatory frameworks reflect the perceptions of scientific groups, legislators, and society regarding this technology. In Brazil, several texts have been analyzed by the National Congress to regulate the use of assisted reproduction technologies. Legislative debates, however, are not conclusive, and limited information has been published on how PGD is specifically regulated. The country requires the development of new regulatory standards to ensure adequate access to this technology and to guarantee its safe practice. This study examined official documents published on PGD regulation in Brazil and demonstrated how little direct oversight of PGD currently exists. It provides relevant information to encourage reflection on a particular regulation model in a Brazilian context, and should serve as part of the basis to enable further reform of the clinical practice of PGD in the country.

ART with PGD: risky heredity and stratified reproduction

“…Lack of governmental will to provide infertility treatment services to lower-income couples leads to a situation where it is not possible for the vast majority of the population to access PGD, including couples at high risk of giving birth to a child with a severe hereditary condition. This development is seen by some experts as a restriction of their rights as citizens ( Damian et al, 2015 : 32).…”

New frontiers in human assisted reproduction - from research to clinical practice: Several considerations

“…Conversely, others see legislation as necessary to prevent scientific exploration into ethically unacceptable areas. Others again, of course, question the need for any government involvement in this regard (27).…”

Ethical Problems with the Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis of Human Embryos

“…It establishes the respect deserving human beings from conception and explicitly prohibits the manipulation of embryos. Debates continue in other countries about regulating PGD (12,13).…”