Abstract not available

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis is a technique used in the field of assisted reproduction. The technique is applied to embryos that have been created in vitro, in order to facilitate the selection of embryos according to particular genetic parameters. The use of preimplantation genetic diagnosis by prospective parents at high risk for having a child affected by a genetic disorder has facilitated the birth of unaffected children. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis has already been used for other purposes, such as screening for gender, and could in principle be used to screen for a wide range of genetic traits. The aim of this thesis is to provide good answers to the ethical questions provoked by the advent and continuing development of preimplantation genetic diagnosis. The thesis is divided into four parts. Part One provides a brief overview of the science of genetic selection. Part Two is centred on a discussion of two ethical principles. The principle of procreative liberty is based upon the idea that acts of interference in the reproductive lives of others should be avoided unless there is good justification for such acts. The principle of procreative beneficence is based upon the idea that prospective parents should select the child, of the possible children they could have, who is expected to have the best life. I will argue that the principle of procreative liberty should be applied to acts of interference in individuals� freedom to use preimplantation genetic diagnosis, while the principle of procreative beneficence should be applied to acts of selecting children. In Part Three, I will endorse a position that accords embryos a relatively low moral status, reject the arguments of the disability rights critique, argue that the eugenic aspects of preimplantation genetic diagnosis do not warrant much concern, and develop a framework for critically evaluating slippery slope arguments. Finally, in Part Four, specific applications of preimplantation genetic diagnosis will be examined in detail. Although each application raises unique ethical questions, this thesis aims to demonstrate that the consistent application of the principles and preliminary conclusions developed in Parts Two and Three provides the best means for determining how PGD should be used and which uses should be restricted.

The experience of difficulties in conception, the diagnosis of infertility and its treatment are frequently associated with anxiety and overall distress. However, current understanding regarding the determinants of variability in the levels of distress among women undergoing infertility treatment is limited; and the evidence of the significance of distress as a risk factor for assisted conception following IVF/ICSI is inconsistent. The thesis addressed both these issues. Overall the thesis is informed by the biopsychosocial model of health and illness. Four studies were conducted. The data was collected in three IVF clinics in India. A consecutive sample of 85 infertile women about to commence IVF/ICSI cycle was recruited in the project at cycle baseline and followed through one treatment cycle. The first two studies examined this sample of women at baseline to identify the biopsychosocial factors associated with infertility related distress. The first study examined the degree of cognitive–behavioural adjustment to infertility, its treatment and treatment related eventualities, while the second study focused on the factors associated with affective aspects of infertility related distress such as increase in negativity and decrease in positivity. The third study examined the pattern of change in stress operationalized in terms of changes in Affect and State Anxiety in a sample of 74 infertile women during an IVF/ICSI cycle. The final study developed a prognostic model for evaluating the unique contribution of baseline distress as well as treatment related stress in estimating the odds of pregnancy following IVF based on a consecutive sample of 73 women. Collectively, the first two studies indicate that at the outset of the IVF/ICSI cycle, some women are more prone to distress than others, and that this variability is associated with their intrapersonal, interpersonal and sociodemographic attributes. These two studies have identified a set of protective and vulnerability factors related to cognitive-behavioural and affective aspects of distress. The last two studies clearly indicate that the level of distress tends to rise during the treatment among the majority of infertile women. The rising trend continued to be significant even after controlling for variables known to somewhat influence infertility related distress such as age, education, occupation, employment, financial burden and etiological factors. Further, a prognostic model is developed that proposes that both baseline level of stress and treatment stress make a unique contribution in defining the odds of pregnancy outcome for the patients. In short the thesis clearly brings out the case for integrating psychosocial care with the routine medical interventions for infertility. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1325419 / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2008

Not available / text

The development of pre-conception and post-conception reproductive technologies has substantial implications and consequences for women. To better establish the impact of the eugenic and sexist traditions which support the elimination of disability/defect and the propagation of "designer babies," a survey of literature outlining the scientific, feminist, legal, cultural, and social perspectives regarding new reproductive technologies was undertaken. Three conclusions of this review are that while new reproductive technologies are not responsible for the environment which fosters bias and intolerance towards oppressed members of society, they have created eugenic demands by supporting genetic perfection; they have informally displaced women's rights to bodily autonomy in favour of the fetus' or potential future person's rights by supporting fetal personhood; and they have perpetuated sexism within the Indian community in Canada by supporting patriarchal institutions.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis is a technique used in the field of assisted reproduction. The technique is applied to embryos that have been created in vitro, in order to facilitate the selection of embryos according to particular genetic parameters. The use of preimplantation genetic diagnosis by prospective parents at high risk for having a child affected by a genetic disorder has facilitated the birth of unaffected children. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis has already been used for other purposes, such as screening for gender, and could in principle be used to screen for a wide range of genetic traits. The aim of this thesis is to provide good answers to the ethical questions provoked by the advent and continuing development of preimplantation genetic diagnosis. The thesis is divided into four parts. Part One provides a brief overview of the science of genetic selection. Part Two is centred on a discussion of two ethical principles. The principle of procreative liberty is based upon the idea that acts of interference in the reproductive lives of others should be avoided unless there is good justification for such acts. The principle of procreative beneficence is based upon the idea that prospective parents should select the child, of the possible children they could have, who is expected to have the best life. I will argue that the principle of procreative liberty should be applied to acts of interference in individuals� freedom to use preimplantation genetic diagnosis, while the principle of procreative beneficence should be applied to acts of selecting children. In Part Three, I will endorse a position that accords embryos a relatively low moral status, reject the arguments of the disability rights critique, argue that the eugenic aspects of preimplantation genetic diagnosis do not warrant much concern, and develop a framework for critically evaluating slippery slope arguments. Finally, in Part Four, specific applications of preimplantation genetic diagnosis will be examined in detail. Although each application raises unique ethical questions, this thesis aims to demonstrate that the consistent application of the principles and preliminary conclusions developed in Parts Two and Three provides the best means for determining how PGD should be used and which uses should be restricted.

The experience of difficulties in conception, the diagnosis of infertility and its treatment are frequently associated with anxiety and overall distress. However, current understanding regarding the determinants of variability in the levels of distress among women undergoing infertility treatment is limited; and the evidence of the significance of distress as a risk factor for assisted conception following IVF/ICSI is inconsistent. The thesis addressed both these issues. Overall the thesis is informed by the biopsychosocial model of health and illness. Four studies were conducted. The data was collected in three IVF clinics in India. A consecutive sample of 85 infertile women about to commence IVF/ICSI cycle was recruited in the project at cycle baseline and followed through one treatment cycle. The first two studies examined this sample of women at baseline to identify the biopsychosocial factors associated with infertility related distress. The first study examined the degree of cognitive–behavioural adjustment to infertility, its treatment and treatment related eventualities, while the second study focused on the factors associated with affective aspects of infertility related distress such as increase in negativity and decrease in positivity. The third study examined the pattern of change in stress operationalized in terms of changes in Affect and State Anxiety in a sample of 74 infertile women during an IVF/ICSI cycle. The final study developed a prognostic model for evaluating the unique contribution of baseline distress as well as treatment related stress in estimating the odds of pregnancy following IVF based on a consecutive sample of 73 women. Collectively, the first two studies indicate that at the outset of the IVF/ICSI cycle, some women are more prone to distress than others, and that this variability is associated with their intrapersonal, interpersonal and sociodemographic attributes. These two studies have identified a set of protective and vulnerability factors related to cognitive-behavioural and affective aspects of distress. The last two studies clearly indicate that the level of distress tends to rise during the treatment among the majority of infertile women. The rising trend continued to be significant even after controlling for variables known to somewhat influence infertility related distress such as age, education, occupation, employment, financial burden and etiological factors. Further, a prognostic model is developed that proposes that both baseline level of stress and treatment stress make a unique contribution in defining the odds of pregnancy outcome for the patients. In short the thesis clearly brings out the case for integrating psychosocial care with the routine medical interventions for infertility. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1325419 / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2008

Thesis (M.A.)--Indiana University, 2008. / Department of Philosophy, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Advisor(s): Peggy Zeglin Brand, Jason T. Eberl, Michael B. Burke. Includes vitae. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 79-84).

Thesis (Ph.D.) - Carleton University, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 253-263). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (LL.M.)--University of Toronto, 2009. / Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 48-02, page: .