Möglichkeiten und Grenzen der Präimplantationsdiagnostik

Molecular genetic techniques and their use in preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) have been widely expanded in recent years worldwide. The reliability and accuracy of PGD have been improved by including newer PCR modifications such as nested PCR, multiplex and fluorescence PCR, or FISH techniques after nuclear transfer. International discussion on PGD concentrates on expanding indications for PGD, for example, diagnosis of inherited predisposition for cancer and sexing for several reasons. In Germany, an extensive discussion on the basic introduction of PGD has been conducted in recent years, but not yet concluded. It is still open to question whether PGD will be allowed at all or introduced with some limitations concerning the spectrum of indications.