Argumentative +/- Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis

The doctor calls your house asking for you to come down to his office to talk. As you walk in, you feel your heart in your throat. As he sits the two of you down he begins, “There is a problem we need to discuss. We received your test results back.” He continues by telling you that you’re having trouble conceiving because of a genetic abnormality you never even knew you had. Your mind races and your heart sinks. How is this possible? You never thought you would have to deal with not being able to have a baby one day. “There are several options you have to try and conceive without passing on the genetic abnormality…” the doctor continues to explain, but the one I would recommend first is Pre Implantation Genetic Diagnosis.” You and your wife finally decide on PGD, a type of in-vitro fertilization. But there are so many issues to think about.

BIG IDEA: In this speech I’d like to show how issues of disease prevention meet ethical concerns of customized conception.

Transition: First, let’s explore some background.

I. What exactly is Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis & how did it begin?

A. Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis (or PGD) is a procedure used with in-vitro fertilization and screens embryos for genetic disorders.

1. In PGD, a single cell from a 3-day old embryo is removed, fertilized in vitro, and then analyzed for genetic abnormalities.

2. Only the embryos that are free from the specified genetic mutation are implanted into the woman’s uterus for conception.

B. The concept of PGD is a relatively new phenomenon.

1. U.K. Scientists founded it in the late 1980’s.

2. The first child to be born from PGD and in-vitro was in America in 1989.

Transition: Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis can examine embryos for many genetic disorders. Next we’ll take a look at some of the disorders that can be prevented as well as some positive effects from using genetic testing.

II. One side of the controversy claims that: Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis can help improve life for both the parents and the child.

A. According to Karren Barrow from her ABC News article, there are over 130 different genetic diseases that PGD can test for and prevent, including: Sickle Cell Anemia, Huntington’s Disease, Down Syndrome, Tay Sachs Disease, and Cystic Fibrosis.

B. Besides preventing disease, other positive aspects are fewer abortions and increase of pregnancy rate.

1. Patients with debilitating diseases can have a chance at a normal pregnancy, which might not otherwise have children out of fear.

2. Parents with genetic diseases who choose to have children will perform fewer abortions rather than aborting the fetus due to diseases found later on in the birth process.

3. For patients who are having trouble conceiving, PGD increases the pregnancy rate by not implanting the weaker, or abnormal, embryos.

Transition: With all these positives, you might be wondering, why the opposing view? Next we will learn why there’s trouble where medicine meets ethics on this controversy.

III. Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis brings forth many moral and ethical issues, along with some negative side effects.

A. PGD can cause moral issues for those who believe that human life starts at conception.

1. When the embryos are examined and the abnormal ones thrown out, those who believe