Assessing Prospective Parents' Motives and Reservations in Pursuing PGD/PGT for Sex Selection Following IVF: Results of a Quantitative Study

Gihan Bareh, MD, PhD – Directer, Center for Fertility & IVF, OB/GYN, Loma Linda University; Van-Dai Ly, MD, MA – Research Assistant, Center for Christian Bioethics, Loma Linda University

Abstract: This session will present the findings of a quantitative study conducted at Loma Linda University Health's Center for Fertility and IVF entitled, "Exploring Motives for Sex-Based Selection of Embryos by Prospective Parents Utilizing IVF and PGD/PGT". In this quantitative study prospective parents, who had already begun or had consented to and were about to begin a cycle of in-vitro fertilization, were asked a series of questions designed to assess their motives for choosing to utilize PGD/PGT for sex selection. Data gathered included demographics such as race and religion as well as a series of questions inquiring about pre-conceived notions/ impressions perspective parents had about the burdens and benefits of having a child of a particular sex. Questions about genetic typing and gender identity were also asked. Additionally questions related to religious and philosophical concerns about utilizing PGD/PGT were asked in order to assess whether affiliation with a faith tradition correlated with concerns over the use of the technology. These findings represent the first phase in a larger study exploring sociological trends in the use of PGD/PGT.

Keywords: In-vitro Fertilization, Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis, Sex-Based Selection of Embryos