Abstract

There is increasing use of genetic screening tests and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis techniques in all parts of the world. These new technologies have raised ethical issues that need closer attention. Sometimes these issues can scramble conventional notions into left or right. Prenatal or preimplantation genetic diagnosis brings a moral and ethical conundrum to South Asian society surrounding the rights of an embryo, disability rights and parental attitudes. There is debate whether testing will give control to parents or will result in policing of pregnancy by the family. There is also the potential to screen an embryo for gender, a perfect child or other parental need dependent on societal norms. Some if the ethical and cultural issues this new technology brings to South Asia are discussed