Embryo Screening
Comment on the use of Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) to identify the
presence of the faulty BRCA 1 gene in an embryo (09.01.09)
Kath McLachlan, Clinical Nurse Specialist at Breast Cancer Care, said:
“Those carrying the faulty BRCA 1 gene will be very interested in this latest development,
which gives them another option to consider when starting a family.
“However there are many complex issues to take into account before undertaking PGD, and
the decision will finally come down to an individual’s personal ethics.
“While the selection of an embryo through PGD can reduce a person’s risk of developing
breast cancer, the procedure cannot prevent a non-genetic form of the disease occurring in
later life.
“It is essential that anyone considering using the technique is offered comprehensive
information, high quality support and advice to help them make an informed decision.”
Further notes:
Breast Cancer Care believes the decision to have Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)
is a personal choice affected by an individual’s personal ethics. It is essential that anyone
considering using PGD is offered comprehensive information and high quality support and
advice to help them make this decision.
Breast Cancer Care raised a number of issues which should be highlighted around the use of
PGD for breast cancer:

Inherited breast cancer represents a very small percentage of breast cancer cases
(less than 1 in 20 breast cancer cases).

In contrast with some genetic conditions which affect a person at an early age
(childhood), inherited breast cancer is an “adult genetic condition” and not everyone
carrying the faulty gene will develop breast cancer. The presence of other genes,
hormones and environmental factors will also have an impact on whether an individual
carrying a faulty gene goes on to develop breast cancer.

There is also a difference between children born from breast cancer PGD and those
screened for other inherited conditions in that the children from selected ‘healthy’
embryos can still go on to develop sporadic breast cancer. Conditions such as
Huntingdons are only inherited, so if an individual is clear of faulty genes they will not
get the condition. On the other hand, breast cancer occurs most frequently outside of
an inherited line which means that the risk of developing sporadic breast cancer later
in life is not removed for children born using PGD.

Offering PGD will also increase the number of complex decisions facing people at high
risk of inherited breast cancer and therefore it is essential that they are offered high
quality information and support to help them cope with these decisions.

The use of PGD for breast cancer now and in the future must be considered in relation
to the availability of preventive measures and treatment options. It should also be
highlighted that PGD is not without risks, it is still a new technology in which the longterm effects are unknown. In addition, it will not be made available to everyone as
there are restrictions to the procedure.