Ethical and moral issues of PGD test tube babies
With the continuous development and improvement of modern medical technology, more and more couples choose to have a healthy baby through PGD (embryonic genetic diagnosis) test tube baby. However, this technology has also caused a series of ethical and moral problems. In this article, we will discuss the ethical and moral issues of PGD IVF from four aspects.
1. Sex selective embryos
PGD technology can accurately detect the sex of embryos, enabling couples to choose their desired sex. Although this may have certain advantages in some cases, for example, genetic diseases only target infants of specific gender, this practice also raises some ethical issues. On the one hand, this choice may lead to the cultural concept of son preference deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, thus affecting the gender balance. On the other hand, the choice of gender may bring children confusion from inferiority and identity, because their existence is based on external expectations rather than their own values.
In addition, sex selective embryos may lead to a decrease in genetic diversity, because couples are more inclined to choose a specific sex than to make decisions based on the genetic characteristics of the embryo itself. This may lead to an increase in specific genotypes, thereby increasing the risk of transmission of certain genetic diseases.
2. Ethical issues of disease screening
PGD technology can detect genetic diseases carried by embryos to ensure that couples can have healthy babies. However, this screening also raises some ethical issues. First, disease screening through PGD may lead to some moral dilemmas, because doctors and couples need to decide which diseases are worth screening and exclusion. This may involve selective screening of some rare genetic diseases that may have a significant impact on the quality of life of individuals.
In addition, the screening of embryo diseases also raises questions about the definition and ethical interpretation of quality of life. On the one hand, some people believe that couples should have the right to choose a healthy baby to avoid possible diseases and suffering. On the other hand, some people believe that everyone has the right to live in this world, regardless of whether they carry genetic diseases or not.
3. Moral responsibility and power
PGD technology enables couples to choose their desired babies and exclude possible genetic diseases for them. However, it also raises some questions about moral responsibility and power. On the one hand, do couples have the right to change the genetic composition of embryos? Should science and medicine determine one's destiny? On the other hand, if couples have the power to make these decisions, do doctors and scientists have the responsibility to ensure the proper use of this power and rigorous decision-making process?
In addition, PGD technology may further promote the trend of selective birth, that is, couples only choose the best genetic combination to have a perfect baby. This may bring psychological and emotional pressure to those couples who cannot choose the right embryo through PGD. Moreover, this may further increase the society's emphasis on physical appearance and genetics, and thus affect people's understanding of personal value and respect.
4. Privacy and Confidentiality
PGD technology involves the collection and use of individual genetic information. Before PGD, couples need to provide their genetic information and a series of personal and family background data. This raises some privacy and confidentiality issues. On the one hand, hospitals and scientists need to ensure the confidentiality of these personal data to prevent information leakage and abuse. On the other hand, couples themselves are also facing privacy and confidentiality problems, because the results of PGD may affect their families, relatives and friends.
In general, the ethical and moral issues of PGD IVF involve sex selective embryos, ethical issues of disease screening, moral responsibilities and rights, as well as privacy and confidentiality. Although PGD technology has potential in solving some problems, we need to seriously consider and debate these ethical and moral issues to ensure the proper use of science and technology and the sustainable development of society.
