Human Embryos and Preimplantation Genetic Technologies: Ethical, Social, and Public Policy Aspects

Regularly used to determine the health and viability of an embryo before in vitro fertilization, preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) and preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) have been successfully employed to test embryonic cells for chromosomal abnormalities and genes related to specific diseases. However, the complex social, ethical, legal, regulatory, and public policy aspects associated with preimplantation assessment technologies continue to evolve and represent important areas for scholarly discussion.

Human Embryos and Preimplantation Technologies: Social, Legal, and Health Policy Dimensions of Assisted Reproduction, edited by leading experts in the field, Dr. E. Scott Sills and Dr. Gianpiero Palermo, stands as the first holistic analysis of PGD and PGS as practiced and regulated worldwide. In addition to scientific and technical aspects, the book provides international perspectives on the ethical, legal, religious, policy, and social implications of assisted reproduction technologies globally, including in Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, and Australia.

The book begins with a thorough overview of PGS and PGD, featuring chapters on the history of these technologies, ethics, and social perspectives including PGS and the LGBT community, feminism, family dynamics, and psychological and interpersonal factors involved with assessment. Part II considers the current state of PGD and PGS in 20 different sovereign nations and religious communities, employing data on reproductive tourism and elective sex selection of human embryos. Part III concludes the book with an analysis of public policy concerns, current challenges, and future directions of PGS and PGD.