Fourth World Conference on Early Pregnancy CONTINUUM BETWEEN IMPLANTATION AND PERINATAL EVENTS

Medical Perspectives On Cloning, Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, Therapeutic Use Of Pluripotent Stem Cells And The Availability Of Molecular Information On The Genome

Mrinal K. Sanyal and Ervin R. Jones

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale Univ. Sch. of Med., New Haven, CT, U.S.A.

Presentation

The progress in biological techniques of cloning, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and stem cell production, and application of genomic information being generated on human diseases and traits will profoundly influence our lives and progeny produced during the next century. These procedures are controversial with a restricted social acceptance. Cloning by splitting of the fertilized preimplantation stage embryo or by nuclear transplantation procedures will benefit both the agriculture and biotechnology industries. Although monozygotic twins are natural human clones presumably derived from splitting of the single ovum, benefits of human cloning remain unclear. This procedure may not be acceptable near term to a large population. The PGD is a safe procedure for prevention of genetic diseases due to chromosomal anomalies and gene mutations. It can be performed before transfer of the embryo to the recipient natural or foster mother avoiding the trauma of induced abortion when the embryo is found to be abnormal. This technique also improves human fertility caused by anomalous embryo as they may be sorted out by genetic screening before transfer into the maternal uterus. Finally, the therapeutic application of stem cells derived from embryonic cells is wide and novel. They are to be used for therapy of defective organs. Availability of in-depth genomic information will permit characterization of cells for use in all these procedures. Thus, a cautious application of these biological procedures, and the use of genetic information in the future medical practice will undoubtedly help eradication of human diseases and enhance the quality of our lives.

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