Preimplentation genetic diagnosis (PGD)--aspects of the ethical evaluation

Abstract

The ethical discussion around PGD opened a discussion about the use of human embryos and foetuses in the context of abortion and genetic diagnosis. The first point of discussion is the moral status of human embryos and foetuses. The article argues for a moral protection of the human embryo as a potential person. But at the same time is the moral status of the embryo a different one than the moral protection we owe against persons. But the ethical discussion is not only concerned with the question of the moral status. It is as well relevant which moral goods are part of the moral evaluation. While in the question round abortion the right and interests of the pregnant woman are in conflict with the protection of the embryo the situation is different in the case of PGD where the embryo is created in order to control his genetic design. The moral evaluation can insofar not refer to the right of the pregnant woman on her own body but must refer to specific objective characteristics of the embryo in order to legitimate the decision about the selection. For the ethical evaluation that difference is morally from significant importance.