Establishing the role of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis with human leucocyte antigen typing: what place do “saviour siblings” have in paediatric transplantation? | Archives of Disease in Childhood

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Establishing the role of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis with human leucocyte antigen typing: what place do “saviour siblings” have in paediatric transplantation?

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Review of Epigenetic Imprinting Disorders Also Required
Marjorie A Garvey
Published on: 28 April 2009

Published on: 28 April 2009
Review of Epigenetic Imprinting Disorders Also Required
- Marjorie A Garvey, Program Officer
Dear Editor,
Samuel and colleagues(1) aim to review the clinical and epidemiological evidence relevant to the use of pre-implantation diagnosis (PGD) to create a “saviour sibling.” A thorough literature review regarding the use of this method should include consideration of the medical problems that may occur in the child born following assisted reproduction technology (ART), but this was not addressed in this...
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Dear Editor,
Samuel and colleagues(1) aim to review the clinical and epidemiological evidence relevant to the use of pre-implantation diagnosis (PGD) to create a “saviour sibling.” A thorough literature review regarding the use of this method should include consideration of the medical problems that may occur in the child born following assisted reproduction technology (ART), but this was not addressed in this article.
There is a large (and still growing) body of literature reporting the association of imprinting disorders with ART, which has prompted a call for large-scale investigation of the incidence of birth defects, cancer, and other health problems in children born following ART. (2-4) This information would surely be of interest to the parents of this future child as they would be responsible for caring for him/her and all his/her medical (not to mention psychological) burdens.
Any discussion that left this information out would not in any way “engender trust” but would take advantage of parents at a time when they are most vulnerable and, therefore, more prone to dismiss the long-term implications that a decision such as PGD would have for themselves and for their future child, whose existence would arise for, and be delimited by, a specific purpose – that of serving as a “biological insurance” for an older sibling.
Yours sincerely,
Marjorie Garvey, MB, BCh
Division of Developmental Translational Research, NIMH
Neuroscience Center
6001 Executive Blvd,
Rockville, MD 20852
The views expressed in this letter are the authors’ own opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of the NIMH. Dr Garvey has no competing interests.
References
1. Samuel GN, Strong KA, Kerridge I, Jordens CF, Ankeny RA, Shaw PJ. Establishing the role of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis with human leucocyte antigen typing: what place do "saviour siblings" have in paediatric transplantation? Arch Dis Child 2009;94:317-20.
2. Cheung AP. Assisted reproductive technology - Both sides now. J Reprod Med 2006;51:283-92.
3. Manipalviratn S, DeCherney A, Segars J. Imprinting disorders and assisted reproductive technology. Fertil Steril 2009;91:305-15.
4. Niemitz EL, Feinberg AP. Epigenetics and assisted reproductive technology: A call for investigation. Am J Hum Genet 2004;74:599-609.
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Conflict of Interest:
None declared.
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