Journal of Clinical & Medical Genomics

Ethical Perceptions with Regard to Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) from the Perspective of Selected Medical Professionals in Malaysia

Abstract

Angelina Patrick Olesen, Siti Nurani Mohd Nor and Latifah Amin

Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) has historically been the subject of heated public controversy because it offers the ability for parents to select their future children genetically. This paper explores the ethical implications of PGD, and discusses the ethical issues associated with the use of PGD from the perspective of medical professionals, whose work involves contact with women or couples undergoing or who plan to undergo PGD and fertility treatment. Consequently, their knowledge, attitudes and views concerning PGD use are critical to allow us to understand the issues involved. Using in-depth interviews, eight medical professionals from three different medical institutions were interviewed. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings showed that the participants perceived PGD as an opportunity for couples in the ‘high risk’ groups to have children who are genetically healthy. However, due to low health literacy, misunderstanding of what PGD is capable of is always a problem, leading to negative perceptions of PGD that give rise to controversial ethical issues including the notion of ‘designer babies’ and eugenics. The study concludes by highlighted participants’ concern with regard to the lack of monitoring of PGD and the quality of the service providers.