Who Should Regulate Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis in the United States?

Abstract

Unlike in many European countries, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is not regulated in the United States. As a result, PGD may be used for any condition for which genetic testing is available, at the discretion of fertility specialists and their patients. This essay explores the question of who should be responsible for regulating PGD in the United States. Federal or state regulation of PGD in the United States is likely to be challenging and problematic for several reasons, including the proximity of PGD to the abortion debate. I propose that PGD regulation in the United States can be most appropriately performed by health professionals using professional society guidelines that set standards for clinical practice.