Assisted Reproduction - 1

A married couple wishes to have a child; however, the 32 year old mother knows that she is a carrier for Huntington's disease (HD). HD is a genetic disorder that begins showing signs at anywhere from 35-45 years of age. Its symptoms begin with slow loss of muscle control and end in loss of speech, large muscle spasms, disorientation and emotional outbursts. After 15-20 years of symptoms HD ends in death. HD is a dominant disorder which means that her child will have a 50% chance of contracting the disorder. Feeling that risking their baby's health would be irresponsible, the couple decides to use in vitro fertilization to fertilize several of the wife's eggs. Several eggs are harvested, and using special technology, only eggs that do not have the defective gene are kept to be fertilized. The physician then fertilizes a single egg, and transfers the embryo to the mother. Approximately 9 months later, the couple gives birth to a boy who does not carry the gene for the disorder.
• Is this a case of eugenics? "Eugenics" is defined as "the hereditary improvement of the human race controlled by selective breeding" (dictionary.com) Eugenics is a social philosophy which advocates the improvement of human hereditary traits through various forms of intervention. The purported goals have variously been to create healthier, more intelligent people, save society's resources, and lessen human suffering. Earlier proposed means of achieving these goals focused on selective breeding, while modern ones focus on prenatal testing and screening, genetic counseling, birth control, in vitro fertilization, and genetic engineering. (New World Encyclopedia) Given this information this would be considered a case of eugenics.
• Would it be acceptable for the parents to select for sex as well, or should they only select an embryo that does not have HD? How would this be different? It would not be acceptable to select for sex. The selection should be used based on the presence or absence

References: New World Encyclopedia. (2007) Eugenics. Retrieved on 03/07/2012 from http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Eugenics American Nurses Association (ANA) Medscape (2012) Preimplanation Genetic Diagnosis. Retrieved on 03/07/2012 from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/273415-overview#aw2aab6b3 Smith, Wesley J Texas Board Of Nurses (2011) Rules and Regulations relating to Nurse Education,Llicensure and Practice. Philosophy, page iii.