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Knowledge, attitude and ethical consideration of Chinese couples requesting preimplantation genetic testing in Hong Kong
Author(s) -
Chan Sophelia H. S.,
Li Raymond H. W.,
Lee Vivian C. Y.,
Tang Mary H. Y.,
Ng Ernest H. Y.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1447-0756
pISSN - 1341-8076
DOI - 10.1111/jog.13940
Subject(s) - medicine , checklist , genetic testing , family medicine , genetic counseling , pregnancy , gynecology , pediatrics , obstetrics , psychology , genetics , biology , cognitive psychology
Aim Increasing preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) cycles are being performed in Hong Kong. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and ethical consideration of Chinese couples toward PGT. Methods Couples requesting PGT between June 2013 and March 2014 were invited to complete a questionnaire. Results Total 49 couples (49 women, 47 men) completed the questionnaires. Eighteen couples (37%) were waiting for PGT (pre‐PGT group), 15 couples (31%) were undergoing PGT (PGT group) and 16 couples (32%) had completed at least one PGT cycle (post‐PGT group). Only 53% of the couples could tell the recurrent risk, and 31% (with monogenic disorders) could tell the mode of inheritance of their condition. The acceptability of PGT (>80%) and attitude toward the embryo fate (58–78%) were good. The post‐PGT group had more concern than the PGT and pre‐PGT groups on the prenatal diagnostic testing (** P = 0.007). 12.5% of the couples worried about the transfer of healthy embryos with carrier state and they all had monogenic disorders. If the prenatal testing confirmed an affected fetus, a higher percentage (32%) in the Post‐PGT group disagreed to terminate the pregnancy in contrast to a much lower 6% in the pre‐PGT group (** P = 0.02). Three‐quarter of the couples opted to tell their child about their conception through PGT. Conclusion Chinese couples in Hong Kong had an overall good acceptability and positive attitude toward PGT. We appreciate the difficulties the couples have gone through PGT. A checklist on what to cover pre‐during‐post‐PGT in the counseling process is needed.