Preimplantation diagnosis and other reproductive options: attitudes of male and female carriers of recessive disorders

This questionnaire-based study describes in detail the attitudes of 245 carriers of recessive disorders to preimplantation diagnosis (PID). These are compared to responses to other reproductive options for carriers, that is prenatal diagnosis (PND), adoption, donor insemination (DI) and egg donation. The positive attitudes of this sample to PID and corresponding negative attitudes to adoption, DI and egg donation are striking. Almost the entire sample indicated that they viewed early reassurance and the opportunity to avoid a termination of pregnancy as important advantages of PID. Disadvantageous aspects of PID were acknowledged, but did not result in many participants finding this approach unacceptable. The study revealed a number of differences between men and women, especially in their perceptions of the disadvantages of PID. Women saw the practical difficulties of PID as more important disadvantages than did the men, and were very much more concerned about the issues involving embryos. Men, conversely, rated the impact upon their partners as a more important disadvantage. These findings underline the importance of considering both sets of views. Despite support for PID, in an overall assessment it did not displace PND as the most useful reproductive option.