PGD and PGH are procedures that can weed out genetically defective human pre-embryos before
they have a chance start a pregnancy. The procedure is usually requested by prospective parents who are
concerned about passing a serious genetically-based disease or disorder to their child.
Typically:
One or both partners have been genetically screened previously, and found to be a carrier,
or
One or both partners are from a human population known to have a high
incidence of a genetically-based disease or disorder.
If an embryo is found to be genetically defective, it is normally destroyed.
This produces a very serious concern for many pro-life supporters who believe
that every pre-embryo, embryo and fetus is a human person. Destruction of a
pre-embryo is considered a form of murder.
This, and similar medical and legal information on our web site, is intended
as a general educational aid to the public. If the topics covered are of direct
concern to you, we recommend that you consult a qualified healthcare
professional who can review your unique situation before reaching a decision.
Books on fetal testing:
These books deal with amniocentesis. However, many of their observations may
be equally applicable to PGD.
Barbara Katz Rothman, "Tentative Pregnancy: How Amniocentesis
Changes the Experience of Motherhood," W.W. Norton, (1993)
Read reviews or order this book