Präimplantationsdiagnostik in Deutschland – ganz oder gar nicht!

Through the statement of the Bioethics Commission of the State Rheinland-Pfalz (EK-RhPf) and the draft guidelines for the use of PGD of the Federal Medical Association (REP-BÄK) the debate about PGD in Germany is clearly headed towards an introduction of the technique. Both papers fail to deal adequately with some of the most important medical facts as well as legal and ethical aspects: embryo destruction in the course of diagnostic procedures or necessary research; the initiation of a trial pregnancy conditional on the results of prenatal diagnosis – a practice which contradicts the aims usually stated in favour of PGD; diagnostic indications intended to restrict the use of the technique are impractical in the light of previous experience with prenatal diagnosis. The REPBÄK tries to squeeze PGD techniques, procedures and aims into the existing guidelines for IVF despite profound differences. If PGD is to be introduced then these half-hearted would-be-solutions must be replaced by a clear and complete presentation of the facts as well as the moral problems and legal consequences including the abandonment of embryo protection as we know it. Society needs complete information, honest ethical discussion and legal security for a decision: PGD – yes or no!