Genetic Screening for Women Seeking Fertility Treatment
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns requests from Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang and Miss Cheng Li Hui to permit Pre-implantation Genetic Screening (PGS) for women facing infertility or recurrent miscarriages. Senior Minister of State Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan responded that the Ministry of Health is reviewing the clinical effectiveness and ethical implications of PGS following advancements in technology. A three-year pilot program at the National University Hospital will commence early next year to assess clinical outcomes while the Ministry develops regulations against gender selection. Senior Minister of State Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan noted that the Ministry will consult stakeholders and the public to gather views on the procedure’s potential implementation. Eligibility criteria and funding details for the trial are currently being worked out and will be announced closer to the pilot's launch date.
Transcript
2 Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Health considering that gender bias for Pre-implantation Genetic Screening (PGS) can now be blinded, whether the Ministry will consider permitting women with recurrent miscarriages or a history of infertility to seek PGS in Singapore.
3 Miss Cheng Li Hui asked the Minister for Health whether the Ministry will consider permitting Pre-implantation Genetic Screening to improve the chances of healthy live births, subject to strict controls, such as banning sex selection and use for other non-medical reasons.
The Senior Minister of State for Health (Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan) (for the Minister for Health): Mdm Speaker, may I take Question Nos 2 and 3 together?
Mdm Speaker: Yes, please.
Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan: Thank you. MOH had previously received requests to allow Pre-implantation Genetic Screening (PGS) to identify chromosomal abnormalities in embryos created through in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), with the aim of improving the chances of conceiving. We had not granted approval so far as the published evidence had been unclear. In recent years, however, newer technologies for PGS have emerged and some jurisdictions have now allowed PGS.
MOH is, therefore, reviewing the clinical effectiveness of PGS and its ethical implications. To assess clinical effectiveness, NUH will be conducting a three-year pilot PGS programme which will commence by early next year.
MOH will also look into the ethical concerns and regulation of PGS. For example, we will need to ensure that embryos are not eliminated solely based on parental preferences on characteristics, such as gender.
MOH will consult stakeholders and the public to gather views.
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang (Nee Soon): I thank the Senior Minister of State for the reply. Can I just ask her if there is any criteria for this trial that is going to be carried out at NUH for people that want to participate in this trial?
Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan: The eligibility criteria for people to participate in this trial as well as all the other details, such as funding and so on, are being worked out and will be available closer to the date of commencement.