Ethik und Präimplantationsdiagnostik: Ein Beitrag zur Diskussion in der Schweiz

Ethics and preimplantation diagnosis: a contribution to discussions in Switzerland The concept of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) was conceived not just following a technological logic of feasiblity, but also for moral reasons. Compared to the termination of a pregnancy after prenatal diagnosis, PGD with selective embryo transfer is a lesser burden and in this sense it has ethical advantages. Two concrete cases highlight partly unexpected circumstances arising in practice, and underline how diverse our moral perceptions of PGD can be. Single cases cannot ground general normative solutions; nevertheless, they can point to moral contradictions in existing governance. This article argues that a ban of PGD on grounds of embryo protection and avoidance of eugenics is not an equitable answer to the needs and interests of those involved. This result is in line with reflections of the Swiss National Advisory Commission on Biomedical Ethics, whose opinions of 2005 and 2007 are summarized.