Transfer of embryos affected by monogenic conditions: an Ethics Committee Opinion.

Abstract

Patient requests for transfer of embryos affected by monogenic conditions linked to serious health-affecting disorders detected in preimplantation testing are rare but do exist. This opinion sets out the possible rationales for a physician's decision to assist or decline to assist in such transfers. The Committee concludes that in most clinical cases, it is ethically permissible to assist or refuse to assist in transferring such embryos. However, in circumstances in which a child is highly likely to be born with a life-threatening condition that causes severe and early debility with no possibility of reasonable function, the transfer of such embryos is ethically problematic and highly discouraged.