Opinions concerning pre-implantation genetic diagnosis and sex selection among gynecologist-obstetricians in Brazil

Caldas, George H.; Caldas, Erika; Araújo, Edilson D.; Bonetti, Tatiana C.S.; Leal, Cláudio B.; Costa, Aurélio M.

doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2009.10.023

« Previous Next »European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology
Volume 148, Issue 2 , Pages 158-162, February 2010

Opinions concerning pre-implantation genetic diagnosis and sex selection among gynecologist-obstetricians in Brazil

George H. Caldas
- Medicine Center of Sergipe – Fertility Clinic, CEMISE-CLIFERT, Aracaju, SE, Brazil
- University of Pernambuco – UPE, Recife, PE, Brazil
- Corresponding author at: Medicine Center of Sergipe – Fertility Clinic, CEMISE-CLIFERT, Rua Construtor João Alves, n° 228, São José, Aracaju 49025-340, SE, Brazil. Tel.: +55 79 3234 1000; fax: +55 79 3234 1000.
Erika Caldas
- Medicine Center of Sergipe – Fertility Clinic, CEMISE-CLIFERT, Aracaju, SE, Brazil
- Federal University of Sergipe/RENORBIO – UFS, Aracaju, SE, Brazil
Edilson D. Araújo
- Federal University of Sergipe/RENORBIO – UFS, Aracaju, SE, Brazil
Tatiana C.S. Bonetti
- Medicine Center of Sergipe – Fertility Clinic, CEMISE-CLIFERT, Aracaju, SE, Brazil
- Federal University of São Paulo – UNIFESP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Cláudio B. Leal
- University of Pernambuco – UPE, Recife, PE, Brazil
Aurélio M. Costa
- University of Pernambuco – UPE, Recife, PE, Brazil

Received 12 May 2009; received in revised form 22 September 2009; accepted 19 October 2009. published online 09 November 2009.

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess a sample of obstetrician-gynecologists on their technical knowledge of PGD as well as their views of PGD and sex selection (SS).

Study design

Cross-sectional observational study, carried out during a Congress on Gynecology and Obstetrics. A self-report questionnaire was offered to all professionals registered to attend the Congress and answers of 723 physicians were analyzed.

Results

Of the participants, 436 (60.3%) were female and 287 (39.7%) were male; 517 (71.5%) had children. Regarding knowledge of PGD techniques, 63.2% had heard something about PGD and/or preconception SS. Concerning SS, physicians believed that SS is always the couple's choice (36.4%), should be the couple's choice only in specific situations (42.6%), or did not agree that SS should be a couple's choice (17.4%). A majority of the respondents were in favor of PGD and believed that pre-embryos with 6–8 cells are human life in potency.

Conclusions

In spite of a small percentage of gynecologists-obstetricians in Brazil had knowledge of PGD techniques, many of them recognized it to be a method to prevent genetic diseases and agreed with its use. The SS appears to be highly accepted for use in specific situations.

Keywords: Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, Sex selection, Opinion, Gynecologist-obstetricians