Dorothy Wertz and John Fletcher pioneered the first international study of ethical and social issues in genetics in 18 nations. This book reports and discusses their second and more representative study in 36 nations. The survey focused on actual situations that occur in the practice of medical genetics, presented as case vignettes that can also be used in teaching and policy discussion. Among the issues discussed are privacy, prenatal diagnosis, patient autonomy, directiveness in counseling, sex selection, forensic DNA banking, "genetic discrimination," and "eugenics". This is Dorothy Wertz's final book, as she died in April, 2003. It is a one of a kind cross-cultural study of complex ethical issues in the uses of genetic information. No one else has attempted to look at the international aspects of medical genetics on such a broad scale. The results provide a resource for discussion both within and among nations. Much bioethical and policy discussion now occurs in an information vacuum. The survey showed that what people would do, and their reasons for doing it, differed considerably from what ethicists think they "should" do. Many will be surprised at the results, especially in nations where bioethical discussion is just beginning. Genetics and Ethics in Global Perspective is of interest to medical geneticists, genetic counselors, social scientists and anthropologists who study cross-cultural issues, bioethicists and bioethics centers and health policy makers.

Fully revised and updated with the most current information, the third edition of this practical clinical text covers all aspects of the rapidly advancing field of preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). Although PGT has become an established procedure for genetics and assisted reproduction practices over the last decade, its wider application has occurred after the introduction of next generation technologies in the last few years, necessitating this much-needed new edition. This will include, first of all, an update on PGT accuracy, reliability and safety, to ensure improved access to PGT for those who may benefit greatly from this technology. New content will also present progress in the primary prevention of genetic disorders, which now discusses approaches for prospective identification of at-risk PGT couples through the application of the extended gene testing panels. In fact, because of dramatic technological improvements in all aspects of PGT, most of the sections have been updated, with the addition of new sections on next generation technologies and universal PGT with combined testing for single gene and chromosomal disorders, which has previously presented a challenge. The guiding PGT strategies for different genetic disorders are presented, with emphasis on the most complicated cases that might be of special utility in the wider application PGT technologies worldwide. Additionally, a new section will be devoted to borderline indications, which will include common adult-onset conditions with genetic predisposition and non-genetic indications, expanding PGT applications to heart disease and cancer and the use of PGT for stem cell transplantation treatment of genetic and acquired disorders, where unique outcome data has become available. Combining the latest research and the most cutting-edge practice, Practical Preimplantation Genetic Testing, 3e is an excellent resource for clinical reproductive medicine specialists, genetic counselors, researchers and analysts.

The pace of discovery, within the EU, of scientific aspects of cancer research and of developments in the clinical field is so rapid that it is sometimes difficult to keep abreast. This brief overview attempts to highlight some of the advances in the field, as part of BIOMED programme funded research and specific results due to the co-operative spirit established by the scientific community. It is particularly worth noting the financial investment of 35 million ECU in the current programme, has d as a catalyst in attracting a large number of Member States funded research in pooling their collective knowledge base.

Although treatment remains the major goal in the control of genetic disease, this is not yet a reality for most inherited conditions. In the absence of radical treatment, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) offers the answer to the control of these inherited conditions by predicting reproductive outcome. PGD is now entering its third decade as an established procedure for genetic and assisted reproduction practices, with new and exciting developments changing the whole concept of prevention of congenital disorders. The availability of practical experience from tens of thousands of PGD cases makes it necessary to update the current information on its accuracy, reliability and safety. The Second Edition of this successful book updates the progress in prevention of genetic disorders to demonstrate the important place of PGD in primary preventive measures and its increasing role in providing the whole range of reproduction options to couples at risk. In addition, it provides an extensive review of the most recent developments within the field of PGD including, PGD for expanding indications such as de novo mutations, cancers, inherited cardiac diseases and combined PGD for single gene disorders, HLA typing and 24 chromosome testing in patients of advance reproductive age. This practical book is vital for all practitioners within the field of fertility, reproductive medicine and medical genetics. It will also be useful for those responsible for planning and organizing PGD services and provides a working manual for the establishment and performance of PGD in the framework of IVF and genetic practices.