Preimplantation genetic diagnosis in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) testing is the practice of obtaining a cellular biopsy sample from a developing human oocyte or embryo, acquired via a cycle of in vitro fertilization (IVF); evaluating the genetic composition of this sample; and using this information to determine which embryos will be optimal for subsequent uterine transfer. PGD has become an increasingly useful adjunct to IVF procedures. The ability to provide couples who are known carriers of genetic abnormalities the opportunity to deliver healthy babies has opened a new frontier in reproductive medicine. The purpose of the PGD is enables us to choose which embryos will be implanted into the mother. In the present study 137 families who had undergone IVF at Habib Medical Centre, were enrolled for the PGD analysis. The couple visited the clinic for the sex selection, recurrent fetal loss and with the recurrent IVF failure. 802 embryos were tested by the biopsy method and 512 are found to be normal and 290 were abnormal embryos. In this study only 24% of the embryos were transferred and the remaining was not transferred because of the abnormalities or undesired sex of the embryos. The structural and numerical abnormalities were found to be 16.8%.

Implementation of public health genomics in Pakistan

“…Finally, there are significant religious factors to consider in Pakistan, in order to engage with the wider community on the issue of genetics and healthcare. Globally in the Muslim world, disease prevention and research through genetic-based clinical care is widely permissible on religious grounds, based on rulings by respected religious scholars [4,[36][37][38][39]. The International Islamic Fiqh Council (IIFC) is an Islamic institution affiliated with the Muslim World League in Saudi Arabia.…”

“…Islamic religious scholars from Muslim countries including Saudi Arabia also agree that the use of PGS or PGD to prevent the birth of children with genetic conditions is acceptable, but their use for sex selection or other nonmedical purposes is unacceptable [4,[36][37][38][39]. However, the general Pakistani public, especially those living in rural areas, are often not aware of these Islamic rulings, which may prevent uptake of genetic testing, even where it is available.…”

Global burden of genetic disease and the role of genetic screening

“…Having allowed prenatal diagnosis for thalassemia it has now been extended even to other disorders. During the period when abortion was not permitted in the Middle East countries, preimplantation genetic diagnosis became popular and was established in many countries of the region [21]. However, it is technologically more difficult and much more expensive as it involves in-vitro fertilization and analysis of a few cells of the embryo.…”

Genetic testing and genomic analysis: a debate on ethical, social and legal issues in the Arab world with a focus on Qatar

“…An even larger experience has been obtained on prenatal diagnosis (PND), preimplantation diagnosis (PGD) and premarital screening for inherited disease. As regards PGD it resulted that this option is, in principle, acceptable in Saudi Arabia and might be considered for a range of different conditions [ 37 , 38 ] with an accurate selection of couples that should be counseled appropriately. Interestingly, 86 % of couples that already have experienced thalassemia (i.e.…”