The Ethics of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis

Miller, Jane (2001) The Ethics of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis. MPhil(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis is a fairly new form of prenatal diagnosis, which screens for genetic disease at the embryonic stage. Its use is expanding as more knowledge is gained about genetic disorders and tests for the causative genes are developed. I examine how its use can be justified and which disorders are suitable candidates. These disorders could be ones that would confer an intolerable life on anyone with them. Chapter 1 discusses what could be regarded as an intolerable life by considering health: what it is, how we measure it and how the courts have regarded it. Chapter 2 then considers what other genetic factors could be screened for, and whether these would be justifiable uses of the technique. Chapter 3 discusses how disability is viewed in society, the problems faced by people with impairments, and how the disability movement has argued it should be viewed. In chapter 4, I examine the medicalisation of society, the eugenics movement and the medical view of disability. Finally I discuss the status of the embryo and foetus with regard to human rights and how this affects the practice of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis.

• Item Type: Thesis (MPhil(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Keywords: Medical ethics
• Date of Award: 2001
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2001-76050
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 19 Nov 2019 17:03
• Last Modified: 19 Nov 2019 17:03
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/76050