I refer to the article Italian Expert Makes Case For Embryo Genetic Screening (October 22).
I would like to draw attention to the fact that what Luca Gianaroli stated regarding donation of gametes – “In a small population like Malta anonymity may be hard to guarantee and there is a higher risk of consanguinity and EU data shows that the number of people who need egg and sperm donation is limited but if the government is keen to offer this possibility while eliminating the risks it should be willing to reimburse couples who travel abroad to make use of such treatment” – should also hold for genetic screening of embryos before implantation for couples suffering from rare hereditary diseases.
The provisions of Directive 2006/17/EC referred to in the final report, which define “reproductive cells” as all tissues and cells intended to be used for the purpose of assisted reproduction, hence including embryos, stipulate that donations other than by partners must meet a number of criteria as detailed in Article 3 of Annex 3. Consequently, the genetic screening of embryos would not be necessary for adoption except where there is a family history of a genetic disorder.
The use of reproductive cells other than for partner donation must meet the following criteria:
3.1. Donors must be selected on the basis of their age, health and medical history, provided on a questionnaire and through a personal interview performed by a qualified and trained health-care professional. This assessment must include relevant factors that may assist in identifying and screening out persons whose donation could present a health risk to others, such as the possibility of transmitting diseases (such as sexually transmitted infections), or health risks to themselves (e.g. superovulation, sedation or the risks associated with the egg collection procedure or the psychological consequences of being a donor);
3.2. The donors must be negative for HIV 1 and 2, HCV, HBV and syphilis on a serum or plasma sample, tested in accordance with Annex II, point 1.1, and sperm donors must additionally be negative for chlamydia on a urine sample tested by the nucleic acid amplification technique (NAT);
3.3. HTLV I antibody testing must be performed for donors living in or originating from high incidence areas or with sexual partners originating from those areas or where the donor’s parents originate from.
3.4. In certain circumstances, additional testing may be required depending on the donor’s history and the characteristics of the tissue or cells donated (e.g. RhD, malaria, CMV, T. cruzi).
3.5. For autologous donors, Annex I, point 2.1.1 applies.
3.6. Genetic screening for autosomal recessive genes known to be prevalent, according to international scientific evidence, in the donor’s ethnic background and an assessment of the risk of transmission of inherited conditions known to be present in the family must be carried out, after consent is obtained. Complete information must be provided, in accordance with the requirements in force in member states. Complete information on the associated risk and on the measures undertaken for its mitigation must be communicated and clearly explained to the recipient.
Allowing days to pass to choose which embryo to make use of (blastocyst stage embryos rather than cleavage stage embryos) is the cornerstone for both preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) as well as the practice of single elective embryo transfer (SET),
As reported in a position paper dated June 2008 by the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology, headed by the respected Dr Gianaroli and titled Good Clinical Treatment In Assisted Reproduction, SET is only policy in five EU countries. This despite the fact that almost all other EU member states have laws permitting abortion.
As is the case in amniocentesis, the longstanding prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities by examining amniotic fluid which surrounds a developing foetus, the whole purpose of PGD is to discard an embryo when a genetic disorder is detected.
So sorry but not in our jurisdiction!