[Doubts about preimplantation diagnosis]

Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) allows physicians engaged in reproductive medicine, in the course of complying with the desire of prospective parents for healthy offspring, to examine the embryo prior to its intra-uterine transfer for genetic defects, which might otherwise lead to grave afflictions, and according to the results of the examination to either implant the embryo in the mother's womb or to discard it. Rather than being sanctioned by the laws applying to the profession (Vow, section 14 MuBO) this procedure is subject to penalty (section 1 Section 1 Subsection 2, section 2 Section 1). Moreover, it violates the basic rights of the embryo. Thus, according to the constitutional and criminal law still in force, as well as the current legal standards of the medical profession, PGD is prohibited in Germany.