Americans support preimplantation genetic diagnosis - PGD

Last published / update 2/21/2005 These are the results of what is the largest public opinion survey ever conducted of American attitudes toward preimplantation genetic diagnosis -PGD. The study conducted by the Genetic and Public Ploicy Center shows that more than 67% of Americans approve of preimplantation genetic diagnosis - PGD of embryos during in vitro fertilization - IVF procedures to select those embryos free of a fatal disease-causing gene mutation's. There are some surprising findings. One half of people who identified themselves as fundamentalist and evangelical Christians supported the use of preimplantation genetic diagnosis -PGD. As for regulation, 61% of survey respondents agreed that the safety and quality of preimplantation genetic diagnosis - PGD should be regulated. But 70% said they are "concerned about government regulators invading private reproductive decisions." Reassuringly, only 38% support the idea of the government regulating preimplantation genetic diagnosis - PGD based on ethics and morality. The numbers suggest that the purported widespread public debate about these issues may be more a media invention. Those who are against use of these technologies are apparently a minority. I am reassured by the attitude that safety should be regulated by the government but not decisions based or moral or ethical beliefs. Politicians! Sit up and take notice fo what your consituents are thinking. The next step is to get more widespread support for insurance coverage of preimplantation genetic diagnosis - PGD.