Reflections on the ethical implications of genetic testing in assisted reproduction
10.3760/cma.j.cn101441-20241222-00490
- VernacularTitle:基因检测技术在辅助生殖中应用的若干伦理问题思考
- Author:
Hao WANG
1
;
Xiaomei TONG
1
;
Jiamin JIN
1
;
Donghao LUO
1
;
Songying ZHANG
1
Author Information
1. 浙江大学医学院附属邵逸夫医院妇产科&生殖中心 浙江省生殖健康疾病临床医学研究中心 全省生育力精准保护与促进重点实验室，杭州 310016
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Genetic testing;
Reproductive techniques, assisted;
Ethics, medical
- From:
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception
2025;45(4):341-345
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
The application of genetic testing technologies in assisted reproduction, such as preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) and carrier screening for monogenic diseases, has provided infertile couples with more reproductive options and played a crucial role in the prevention of genetic disorders, significantly improving reproductive health. However, the widespread use of these technologies has also raised various ethical challenges, including the uncertainty of mosaic embryo transfer and its implications for reproductive rights, the cost-effectiveness debate surrounding PGT for structural rearrangement for chromosomal inversion carriers, the predictive accuracy and ethical boundaries of polygenic embryo screening, and the ethical concerns related to extensive carrier screening, such as information overload, restricted informed choice, disputes over screening scope, and disparities in healthcare access. The reproductive medicine ethics committee plays a central role in addressing these challenges by overseeing ethical reviews of technological applications, ensuring patients' informed consent, balancing technological innovation with ethical responsibility, and promoting social equity. This article explores the ethical challenges brought by the application of technologies such as PGT and carrier screening in assisted reproduction, and proposes corresponding suggestions based on ethical principles framework, in order to promote the standardized application of genetic testing technology in reproductive medicine.
