Genetic discrimination in Pre-implantation Genetic Screening

This letter was sent to ST Forum but was not published.

The embryos are developing members of the human species, offspring of their parents ("Hope for fewer miscarriages with genetic screening" ; 15 Nov). 

In selecting embryos which are chromosomally normal, genetic equality is pursued to increase the chances of success in an in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycle. 

This pursuit for genetic equality gives rise to genetic discrimination that will widen the gap between the haves and the haves-not, making us unwilling to work with and care for those who are deemed to have inferior genes.

Assistant Professor Tamra Lysaght is right to say that the pre-implantation genetic screening (PGS) will cause stigmatisation of disability in our society. 

How is it right to compromise the equal dignity of persons with disabilities for the 'goal' to help couples conceive in cases where the woman's fertility is diminished or compromised?

How is it justifiable to eliminate embryos with abnormalities in the pursuit of the miracle of life?

I regret the deep-rooted fear and misconceptions of disability in the woman who terminated her pregnancy when she found out that her baby had Down Syndrome ("Criteria set for IVF embryo screening trial"; 15 Nov). 

I empathize with parents who courageously bring up their children with Down Syndrome. Truly your love does not count chromosomes.

In embracing PGS, we open the door to more forms of discrimination and create a hostile society for the vulnerable and the disadvantaged. 

We build a 'throw-away' culture which will one day conveniently discard the old and frail. 

This is not the SG100 vision that our nation can look forward to. 

From the Editor:

Hi Serene

Actually, our stories say that the screening doesn't screen diseases or disabilities, but abnormal chromosomes that will likely cause miscarriages. Also, screening of Down syndrome is not allowed. It's not the same as screening for diseases or disabilities, which is still not allowed.

So it's not a case of parents being able to screen embryos with inferior genes or diseases or disabilities, as what I'm reading from your letter.

Regards
Wy-Cin

Hi Wy-Cin,

Appreciate your response to my letter.

To screen for abnormal chromosomes means eliminating those embryos that don't pass the quality control.

We all know that people with Down Syndrome have an extra chromosome so to choose the embryos with the correct number of chromosomes is to discard those embryos that when allowed to grow in the right environment, will be babies born with Down Syndrome.

To screen and select is itself a discrimination.

How do you explain the Professor's response that it will cause stigmatization of disability in our society if you say it's not screening of disability?