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10 November 2005
The Scottish Council on Human Bioethics (SCHB) indicated, today, that it was extremely concerned about possible changes to the selection criteria of embryos using Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD).
The new document published today by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority [1] will discuss whether it would be ethical to select out embryos who may only have a low risk of developing a disorder later on in life. These include genetic disorders such as inherited breast, ovarian and colon cancer.
However, the SCHB is concerned that this procedure may result in the development of eugenics.
In this respect, Dr. Calum MacKellar, Director of Research of the SCHB, indicated that "allowing embryo selection for lower penetrance disorders is a step down the road of full blown eugenics in which all embryos considered to have failed the ‘validity test’ would be selected out" adding if this is accepted, the next step will be the selecting out of embryos who may be affected by homosexuality or even dyslexia! Where do we stop?"
The SCHB is also concerned about the motives behind such a report.
Dr. MacKellar stated, in this regard, that "it would be wrong for me to not be suspicious that one of the reasons behind this report is that persons affected by genetic disorders are expensive to the NHS and that the government may want to save the money used to take care of them."
1. Fertility regulator asks public for their views on future limits for cutting-edge embryo-testing techniques, http://www.hfea.gov.uk/PressOffice/Archive/1131553658