The non-denominational interest group supports efforts to allow preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) within narrow limits in the future. In Germany, couples who have a history of serious hereditary diseases and who can only fulfill their desire to have children through artificial insemination should continue to have the option of PGD, i.e. the targeted diagnosis of an extracorporeally created embryo for serious genetic abnormalities before it is implanted. In July, the Federal Court of Justice declared this practice to be compatible with the Embryo Protection Act.
In response to this ruling, there are now efforts to introduce a moratorium during which no PGD may take place. The HVD considers this to be fatal: “Genetically predisposed couples who are dependent on artificial insemination must have the opportunity to have the hereditary disease risk of an embryo tested at their own request and without pressure, if this is medically possible,” says Frieder Otto Wolf, President of the HVD. “However, strict limits must be placed on PGD. So-called designer babies, which aim for a certain eye or hair color, for example, are definitely not feasible at the present time. However, we do see a danger if parents want their child to be a certain gender. This must remain prohibited.”
The affected families and doctors need legal certainty. For the HVD, the self-determination of an expectant mother also includes the option of deciding against the implantation of an embryo that is highly likely to die of a rare hereditary disease or not live to see birth.
