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Capalbo A, de Wert G, Mertes H, Klausner L, Coonen E, Spinella F, Van de Velde H, Viville S, Sermon K, Vermeulen N, Lencz T, Carmi S. Screening embryos for polygenic disease risk: a review of epidemiological, clinical, and ethical considerations. Hum Reprod Update 2024:dmae012. [PMID: 38805697 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmae012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The genetic composition of embryos generated by in vitro fertilization (IVF) can be examined with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). Until recently, PGT was limited to detecting single-gene, high-risk pathogenic variants, large structural variants, and aneuploidy. Recent advances have made genome-wide genotyping of IVF embryos feasible and affordable, raising the possibility of screening embryos for their risk of polygenic diseases such as breast cancer, hypertension, diabetes, or schizophrenia. Despite a heated debate around this new technology, called polygenic embryo screening (PES; also PGT-P), it is already available to IVF patients in some countries. Several articles have studied epidemiological, clinical, and ethical perspectives on PES; however, a comprehensive, principled review of this emerging field is missing. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This review has four main goals. First, given the interdisciplinary nature of PES studies, we aim to provide a self-contained educational background about PES to reproductive specialists interested in the subject. Second, we provide a comprehensive and critical review of arguments for and against the introduction of PES, crystallizing and prioritizing the key issues. We also cover the attitudes of IVF patients, clinicians, and the public towards PES. Third, we distinguish between possible future groups of PES patients, highlighting the benefits and harms pertaining to each group. Finally, our review, which is supported by ESHRE, is intended to aid healthcare professionals and policymakers in decision-making regarding whether to introduce PES in the clinic, and if so, how, and to whom. SEARCH METHODS We searched for PubMed-indexed articles published between 1/1/2003 and 1/3/2024 using the terms 'polygenic embryo screening', 'polygenic preimplantation', and 'PGT-P'. We limited the review to primary research papers in English whose main focus was PES for medical conditions. We also included papers that did not appear in the search but were deemed relevant. OUTCOMES The main theoretical benefit of PES is a reduction in lifetime polygenic disease risk for children born after screening. The magnitude of the risk reduction has been predicted based on statistical modelling, simulations, and sibling pair analyses. Results based on all methods suggest that under the best-case scenario, large relative risk reductions are possible for one or more diseases. However, as these models abstract several practical limitations, the realized benefits may be smaller, particularly due to a limited number of embryos and unclear future accuracy of the risk estimates. PES may negatively impact patients and their future children, as well as society. The main personal harms are an unindicated IVF treatment, a possible reduction in IVF success rates, and patient confusion, incomplete counselling, and choice overload. The main possible societal harms include discarded embryos, an increasing demand for 'designer babies', overemphasis of the genetic determinants of disease, unequal access, and lower utility in people of non-European ancestries. Benefits and harms will vary across the main potential patient groups, comprising patients already requiring IVF, fertile people with a history of a severe polygenic disease, and fertile healthy people. In the United States, the attitudes of IVF patients and the public towards PES seem positive, while healthcare professionals are cautious, sceptical about clinical utility, and concerned about patient counselling. WIDER IMPLICATIONS The theoretical potential of PES to reduce risk across multiple polygenic diseases requires further research into its benefits and harms. Given the large number of practical limitations and possible harms, particularly unnecessary IVF treatments and discarded viable embryos, PES should be offered only within a research context before further clarity is achieved regarding its balance of benefits and harms. The gap in attitudes between healthcare professionals and the public needs to be narrowed by expanding public and patient education and providing resources for informative and unbiased genetic counselling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Capalbo
- Juno Genetics, Department of Reproductive Genetics, Rome, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), Department of Medical Genetics, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Guido de Wert
- Department of Health, Ethics & Society, CAPHRI-School for Public Health and Primary Care and GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Heidi Mertes
- Department of Philosophy and Moral Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Liraz Klausner
- Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Edith Coonen
- Departments of Clinical Genetics and Reproductive Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, GROW, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Francesca Spinella
- Eurofins GENOMA Group Srl, Molecular Genetics Laboratories, Department of Scientific Communication, Rome, Italy
| | - Hilde Van de Velde
- Research Group Genetics Reproduction and Development (GRAD), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
- Brussels IVF, UZ Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Stephane Viville
- Laboratoire de Génétique Médicale LGM, Institut de Génétique Médicale d'Alsace IGMA, INSERM UMR 1112, Université de Strasbourg, France
- Laboratoire de Diagnostic Génétique, Unité de Génétique de l'infertilité (UF3472), Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Karen Sermon
- Research Group Genetics Reproduction and Development (GRAD), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | | | - Todd Lencz
- Institute of Behavioral Science, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, USA
- Departments of Psychiatry and Molecular Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA
| | - Shai Carmi
- Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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Chin AHB, Lim LW, Muhsin SM. Regulatory safeguards needed if preimplantation genetic testing for polygenic risk scores (PGT-P) is permitted in Singapore. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 2024:jme-2023-109195. [PMID: 38744454 DOI: 10.1136/jme-2023-109195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Singapore, a highly affluent island city-state located in Southeast Asia, has increasingly leveraged new assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to overcome its dismal fertility rates in recent years. A new frontier in ART is preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) for polygenic risk scores (PRS) to predict complex multifactorial traits in IVF (in vitro fertilisation) embryos, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and various other characteristics like height, intelligence quotient (IQ), hair and eye colour. Unlike well-known safety risks with human genome editing, there are negligible risks with PGT-P, because there are no man-made genetic modifications that can be transmitted to future generations. Nevertheless, the current efficacy of using PGT-P to select IVF embryos for either increased or decreased probability of developing specific polygenic traits is still far from certain. Hence, the regulatory safeguards proposed here will be based on the assumption that the efficacy of this new technology platform has already been validated. These include: (1) restricting the application of PGT-P only for prevention of clinically relevant polygenic disease traits, (2) securely blocking patients' access to the raw genomic DNA sequencing data of their IVF embryos, (3) validating diagnosis of polygenic disease traits in the prospective parents/grandparents of IVF embryos, and restricting PGT-P only for preventing specifically diagnosed polygenic disease traits and (4) mandating rigorous and comprehensive genetic counselling for IVF patients considering PGT-P. There is an urgent and dire need to prevent abuse of the PGT-P technique, as well as protect the interests and welfare of patients if its clinical application is to be permitted in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lee Wei Lim
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Sayyed Mohamed Muhsin
- Department of Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh, International Islamic University Malaysia, Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Xiang R, Kelemen M, Xu Y, Harris LW, Parkinson H, Inouye M, Lambert SA. Recent advances in polygenic scores: translation, equitability, methods and FAIR tools. Genome Med 2024; 16:33. [PMID: 38373998 PMCID: PMC10875792 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-024-01304-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Polygenic scores (PGS) can be used for risk stratification by quantifying individuals' genetic predisposition to disease, and many potentially clinically useful applications have been proposed. Here, we review the latest potential benefits of PGS in the clinic and challenges to implementation. PGS could augment risk stratification through combined use with traditional risk factors (demographics, disease-specific risk factors, family history, etc.), to support diagnostic pathways, to predict groups with therapeutic benefits, and to increase the efficiency of clinical trials. However, there exist challenges to maximizing the clinical utility of PGS, including FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) use and standardized sharing of the genomic data needed to develop and recalculate PGS, the equitable performance of PGS across populations and ancestries, the generation of robust and reproducible PGS calculations, and the responsible communication and interpretation of results. We outline how these challenges may be overcome analytically and with more diverse data as well as highlight sustained community efforts to achieve equitable, impactful, and responsible use of PGS in healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruidong Xiang
- Cambridge Baker Systems Genomics Initiative, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Cambridge Baker Systems Genomics Initiative, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Martin Kelemen
- Cambridge Baker Systems Genomics Initiative, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- British Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Yu Xu
- Cambridge Baker Systems Genomics Initiative, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- British Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Health Data Research UK Cambridge, Wellcome Genome Campus and University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Laura W Harris
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Helen Parkinson
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Michael Inouye
- Cambridge Baker Systems Genomics Initiative, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- Cambridge Baker Systems Genomics Initiative, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- British Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Health Data Research UK Cambridge, Wellcome Genome Campus and University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Samuel A Lambert
- Cambridge Baker Systems Genomics Initiative, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- British Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Health Data Research UK Cambridge, Wellcome Genome Campus and University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
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Siermann M, Valcke O, Vermeesch JR, Raivio T, Tšuiko O, Borry P. "Are we not going too far?": Socio-ethical considerations of preimplantation genetic testing using polygenic risk scores according to healthcare professionals. Soc Sci Med 2024; 343:116599. [PMID: 38244362 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
The recent introduction of polygenic risk scores within preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-P) has been met with many concerns. To get more insights into the perspectives of relevant stakeholders on the socio-ethical aspects of PGT-P, an interview study with 31 healthcare professionals involved in reproductive medicine and genetics in Europe and North-America was performed. Healthcare professionals in our study were concerned that PGT-P was going too far in terms of selection, with regards to both medical conditions and non-medical traits. Healthcare professionals were worried about the ethical 'slippery slope' of PGT-P, the increasing medicalization of reproductive health, the commercial context of PGT-P, and potential stigmatization and discrimination. There were also concerns that the availability and the 'technological imperative' of PGT-P could lead to pressure and a sense of responsibility for parents to use PGT-P. Additionally, it could cause new anxieties about the child's health before the child has even been born. Since PGT-P provides polygenic risk scores before birth, the autonomy of the child has to be considered. These socio-ethical concerns heighten existing debates regarding reproductive genetic technologies and show that the specifics of PGT-P make this screening option especially ethically controversial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Siermann
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7 - Box 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8 (P.O. Box 63), 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Ophelia Valcke
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7 - Box 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joris Robert Vermeesch
- Laboratory for Cytogenetics and Genome Research, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, ON1 Herestraat 49 - Bus 606, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Taneli Raivio
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8 (P.O. Box 63), 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olga Tšuiko
- Laboratory for Cytogenetics and Genome Research, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, ON1 Herestraat 49 - Bus 606, 3000, Leuven, Belgium; Reproductive Genetics Unit, Center for Human Genetics, UZ Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pascal Borry
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7 - Box 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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Latham KE. Preimplantation genetic testing: A remarkable history of pioneering, technical challenges, innovations, and ethical considerations. Mol Reprod Dev 2024; 91:e23727. [PMID: 38282313 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) has emerged as a powerful companion to assisted reproduction technologies. The origins and history of PGT are reviewed here, along with descriptions of advances in molecular assays and sampling methods, their capabilities, and their applications in preventing genetic diseases and enhancing pregnancy outcomes. Additionally, the potential for increasing accuracy and genome coverage is considered, as well as some of the emerging ethical and legislative considerations related to the expanding capabilities of PGT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith E Latham
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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Polyakov A, Rozen G, Gyngell C, Savulescu J. Novel embryo selection strategies-finding the right balance. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2023; 5:1287621. [PMID: 38162011 PMCID: PMC10757847 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2023.1287621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of novel technologies in the selection of embryos during in vitro fertilisation (IVF) has the potential to improve the chances of pregnancy and birth of a healthy child. However, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and unintended consequences that may arise from the premature implementation of these technologies. This article discusses the ethical considerations surrounding the use of novel embryo selection technologies in IVF, including the growing uptake of genetic testing and others, and argues that prioritising embryos for transfer using these technologies is acceptable, but discarding embryos based on unproven advances is not. Several historical examples are provided, which demonstrate possible harms, where the overall chance of pregnancy may have been reduced, and some patients may have missed out on biological parenthood altogether. We emphasise the need for caution and a balanced approach to ensure that the benefits of these technologies outweigh any potential harm. We also highlight the primacy of patients' autonomy in reproductive decision-making, especially when information gained by utilising novel technologies is imprecise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Polyakov
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Reproductive Biology Unit, Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Melbourne IVF, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Genia Rozen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Reproductive Biology Unit, Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Melbourne IVF, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Chris Gyngell
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Julian Savulescu
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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Melo P, Dhillon-Smith R, Islam MA, Devall A, Coomarasamy A. Genetic causes of sporadic and recurrent miscarriage. Fertil Steril 2023; 120:940-944. [PMID: 37648143 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.08.952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Approximately 80% of miscarriages happen within the first 12 weeks of gestation. More than half of early losses result from genetic defects, usually presenting as abnormal chromosome numbers or gene rearrangements in the embryo. However, the impact of genetics on pregnancy loss goes well beyond embryonic aneuploidy. For example, the use of big data has recently led to the discovery of specific gene mutations that may be implicated in sporadic and recurrent miscarriages. Further, emerging data suggest that genetic factors play a role in conditions for which there is a causative association with recurrent pregnancy loss. Here, we summarize the evidence on the genetics of miscarriage and provide an overview of the diagnosis and prevention of genetic causes associated with sporadic and recurrent pregnancy loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Melo
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
| | - Rima Dhillon-Smith
- Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Md Asiful Islam
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Global Women's Health, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Devall
- Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom; WHO Collaborating Centre for Global Women's Health, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
| | - Arri Coomarasamy
- Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom; WHO Collaborating Centre for Global Women's Health, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom
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Siermann M, Valcke O, Vermeesch JR, Raivio T, Tšuiko O, Borry P. Limitations, concerns and potential: attitudes of healthcare professionals toward preimplantation genetic testing using polygenic risk scores. Eur J Hum Genet 2023; 31:1133-1138. [PMID: 36935419 PMCID: PMC10545753 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-023-01333-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Preimplantation genetic testing using polygenic risk scores (PGT-P) has recently been introduced. However, PGT-P has been met with many ethical concerns. It is therefore important to get insights into the perspectives of stakeholders regarding PGT-P. We performed a qualitative interview study on the views of healthcare professionals toward PGT-P. We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 31 healthcare professionals working in the field of preimplantation genetic testing. The interviews explored the attitudes of healthcare professionals toward the technology of PGT-P, e.g., the validity, utility, limitations and potential benefits of PGT-P. We found that most healthcare professionals were concerned about the prematurity of introducing PGT-P into clinical practice. They had various ethical considerations, such as concerns related to validity and utility of PGT-P, limited embryos and options, and difficulties for prospective parents regarding comprehension and informed decision-making. Positive aspects were also identified, e.g., regarding reproductive autonomy and potential health benefits. Overall, most healthcare professionals considered that clinical implementation of PGT-P is premature. More comprehensive, longitudinal and inclusive studies are needed first, though these might not improve PGT-P enough to responsibly implement it. Healthcare professionals were also concerned that PGT-P could cause anxiety and create difficult choices for prospective parents. These perspectives and ethical considerations are crucial to consider for future guidelines and recommendations regarding PGT-P.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Siermann
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Ophelia Valcke
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joris Robert Vermeesch
- Laboratory for Cytogenetics and Genome Research, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Taneli Raivio
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olga Tšuiko
- Laboratory for Cytogenetics and Genome Research, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Reproductive Genetics Unit, Center for Human Genetics, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pascal Borry
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Makrythanasis P, Kakourou G, Mamas T, Vrettou C, Traeger-Synodinos J. Contributing to the on-going debate around the clinical application of preimplantation embryo selection based on polygenic risk scores (PGT-P). Eur J Hum Genet 2023; 31:1099-1100. [PMID: 37165104 PMCID: PMC10545760 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-023-01372-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Periklis Makrythanasis
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, National and Kapodistrian Univeristy of Athens, St. Sophia's Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgia Kakourou
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, National and Kapodistrian Univeristy of Athens, St. Sophia's Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Thalia Mamas
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, National and Kapodistrian Univeristy of Athens, St. Sophia's Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Vrettou
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, National and Kapodistrian Univeristy of Athens, St. Sophia's Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Jan Traeger-Synodinos
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, National and Kapodistrian Univeristy of Athens, St. Sophia's Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
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Rueda J, Vallès-Poch M. Genomic Uncertainty as a Burden for Reproductive Choice? The Problem of Probabilistic Causation in Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOETHICS : AJOB 2023; 23:26-28. [PMID: 36919546 DOI: 10.1080/15265161.2023.2169391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
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Young MA, Yanes T, Cust AE, Dunlop K, Limb S, Newson AJ, Purvis R, Thiyagarajan L, Scott RJ, Verma K, James PA, Steinberg J. Human Genetics Society of Australasia Position Statement: Use of Polygenic Scores in Clinical Practice and Population Health. Twin Res Hum Genet 2023; 26:40-48. [PMID: 36950972 DOI: 10.1017/thg.2023.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Considerable progress continues to be made with regards to the value and use of disease associated polygenic scores (PGS). PGS aim to capture a person's genetic liability to a condition, disease, or a trait, combining information across many risk variants and incorporating their effect sizes. They are already available for clinicians and consumers to order in Australasia. However, debate is ongoing over the readiness of this information for integration into clinical practice and population health. This position statement provides the viewpoint of the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA) regarding the clinical application of disease-associated PGS in both individual patients and population health. The statement details how PGS are calculated, highlights their breadth of possible application, and examines their current challenges and limitations. We consider fundamental lessons from Mendelian genetics and their continuing relevance to PGS, while also acknowledging the distinct elements of PGS. Use of PGS in practice should be evidence based, and the evidence for the associated benefit, while rapidly emerging, remains limited. Given that clinicians and consumers can already order PGS, their current limitations and key issues warrant consideration. PGS can be developed for most complex conditions and traits and can be used across multiple clinical settings and for population health. The HGSA's view is that further evaluation, including regulatory, implementation and health system evaluation are required before PGS can be routinely implemented in the Australasian healthcare system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary-Anne Young
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tatiane Yanes
- Dermatology Research Centre, Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Anne E Cust
- The Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
- The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, a joint venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kate Dunlop
- The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, a joint venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sharne Limb
- Parkville Familial Cancer Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospitals, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ainsley J Newson
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, Sydney Health Ethics. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rebecca Purvis
- Parkville Familial Cancer Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospitals, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lavvina Thiyagarajan
- The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rodney J Scott
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- Division of Molecular Medicine, NSW Health Pathology North, New Lambton, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kunal Verma
- Monash Genetics, Monash Health, Melbourn, Victoria, Australia
- Monash Heart, Monash Health, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul A James
- Parkville Familial Cancer Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospitals, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Julia Steinberg
- The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, a joint venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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