Comments on: Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis for Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease

By: Hsien-Hsien Lei, PhD

Hsien-Hsien Lei, PhD — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 18:57:23 +0000

Thanks, Kathy. You raise an important point that most of us wouldn’t quite understand. For this particular genetic mutation, I believe that a carrier is almost guaranteed to develop early-onset Alzheimer’s. DNA technology has certainly brought about dilemmas that didn’t exist before. Choices are good and bad, I think.

By: KathyF

KathyF — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 07:13:49 +0000

Is the gene for early onset AD a 100% predictor of the disease? If so, that would explain his reluctance to be tested, to find out his fate–dying in the same way his mother did–at a time when he is enjoying life and looking forward to fatherhood. It would be unethical to require that he discover his gene status in order to become a father.

I’ve been reading a blog by a young woman who tested positive for HD, and is considering PGD. The cost is covered for HD in England, but she doesn’t know how many children it would cover, for how long, etc. So many questions! But thank goodness people have a choice now.

By: Hsien-Hsien Lei, PhD

Hsien-Hsien Lei, PhD — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 21:39:36 +0000

Barry, Weird indeed. I really don’t understand how they’ve gone along with the man’s decision not to be tested. The alternative to PGD would be to not have any children at all. Tough choices that in most cases would be limited by resources.

By: Hsien-Hsien Lei, PhD

Hsien-Hsien Lei, PhD — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 21:37:05 +0000

Dana, It’s not just the government in the UK that tries to maintain a tight grip on genetic technology. There are so many watchdogs here that it makes my head spin!

By: Hsien-Hsien Lei, PhD

Hsien-Hsien Lei, PhD — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 21:36:07 +0000

Thanks for the link, David.

By: Barry Starr

Barry Starr — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 21:29:22 +0000

What a weird story. As I was reading along I was wondering about the ethics of not letting an embryo that will develop Alzheimer’s 30 years down the road grow into an adult and then finding out the dad doesn’t even know if he is a carrier.

The dad should be tested if only for money’s sake. PGD is very expensive (is it covered in England?) and the positive result will tell him he is a carrier anyway. Seems like a costly way to determine his status!

I guess the broader question is whether to screen embryos for conditions like early onset Alzheimer’s or Huntington’s disease. Personally, I would probably screen any embryos I contributed to if I were a carrier just to deal with my own guilt. I would feel terrible about passing on a gene that would cause my child to die young if I could prevent it.

By: Dana Waring

Dana Waring — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 14:56:02 +0000

Hi Hsien,

While I can certainly understand why Dad would be frightened about his status, I don’t think I would use IVF w/ PGD unless I knew there was a definate risk. IVF with PGD is still a relatively new technology – with risks that may not yet be fully understood. Seems like a lot to put this potential child though, and also Mom who will go through the IVF procedure.

I am not convinced the level of government involvement in the UK is what is needed in the US, however, I do appreciate its effect of getting this debate into the public eye. I feel this family, as I am sure they feel like they are facing a number of imperfect and difficult options.

By: David Bradley

David Bradley — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 14:00:29 +0000

There was research published just last week providing additional evidence that Alzheimer’s disease is actually the “third” form of diabetes.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-09/nu-dst092607.php