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First published online May 24, 2007
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2006-0625v1
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Submitted on October 5, 2006
Accepted on March 29, 2007

EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS

The Future (r)evolution of PGD/HLA Testing: Ethical Reflections

Guido de Wert 1*, Inge Liebaers 2, Hilde Van de Velde 2

1 Research Institute Growth & Development, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Section Health Ethics and Philosophy, Maastricht University, The Netherlands
2 Research Centre Reproduction and Genetics, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, (UZBrussel), Belgium

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: g.dewert{at}zw.unimaas.nl.


  Abstract

There has been an increasing support for combining preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for specific diseases with a test for human leukocyte antigens (HLA) because the generation of HLA-matched umbilical cord blood cells may save the life of a diseased sibling. To date, this procedure has taken place in the context of conceiving another child - PGD/HLA testing type 1. However, it may well become possible to perform PGD/HLA testing outside this context, that is, to select matched embryos from which embryonic stem cells (ESC) could be derived and used in cell therapy - PGD/HLA testing type 2. A proactive ethical analysis is needed and presented in this article. Although PGD/HLA testing type 1 can be morally justified, the risks, pitfalls, and practical limitations of this procedure make it necessary to develop alternative strategies. PGD/HLA testing type 2 may provide an alternative strategy. From an ethical point of view, the controversial issue is that this procedure creates embryos purely for instrumental use. However, given the dominant view that the preimplantation embryo has only limited moral value, this alternative may be as morally justified as PGD/HLA testing type 1.

Key Words. HLA typing, ethics, embryonic stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, preimplantation genetic diagnosis




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