Dr. Maryam A. Dashti, PhD

Dr. Maryam A.G. Dashti, Bahraini citizen, obtained her PhD from King’s college, London University.

She is a senior scientist in the field of In Vitro Fertilization and fertility genetic testing. She was an Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology (1989- 2004) and Department of Molecular Medicine (2005-2017), College of Medicine and Medical sciences, Arabian Gulf University.

Dr. Dashti has been working in the field of assisted conception since 1988 and was one of the main founders of the first IVF unit in the Military Hospital and the main founder of Al Jawhara Fertility Hospital in Bahrain where she occupied the position of scientific/managing director in both places. Also, she was actively involved in licensing other IVF labs and centers in Bahrain as an evaluator through the ministry of health. Outside Bahrain, she cooperated in optimizing the facilities and services in a number of IVF centers in the Middle East. In addition, she pays continuous visits to other IVF facilities around the world to follow up major developments in the field of IVF and associated sciences.

Over the last 23 years, she has attended more than 50 hands on workshops, attachments and international meetings in different fields of assisted reproduction and genetic testing of embryos. Also she has many publications in national and international journals, in addition to numerous scientific presentations and lectures.

Title of Presentation

Bioethics of Genetic Testing in Relation to the outcome of Fertility Programs: Ethical Aspects of Pre-Implantation Genetic Screening and Diagnosis

Preimplantation Genetic Screening/Diagnosis or PGS/PGD is defined as a group of genetic analysis applied to embryos produced through IVF programs for families carrying or showing some genetic disorders. Also, it is an efficient tool to enhance the chances of healthy pregnancy in women suffering from infertility due to recurrent abortions. The spectrum of genetic disorders in GCC societies is wide, while some of them are limiting or disabling, others are life threatening. PGS/ PGD tests are mainly performed on embryos and may include their parents depending on the type of abnormality sought. Some tests detect chromosomal aneuploidies while others are concerned with DNA analysis to find defective gene that may produce a disease. Chromosomal abnormalities are associated with advanced maternal age, recurrent abortions, multiple-IVF failure and some consanguineous marriages. Abnormal gene cause disease when one of the couple shows it in a dominant fashion, or when both couple carry it as a recessive trait.

The main issues of PGS/PGD in any society can be summarized as following:

• These tests are extremely complex, laborious and costly. Therefore, the labs performing them should be subject to strict regulations to ensure the accuracy and reliability of test results they generate.
• The clinics offering genetic testing of embryos should consider counseling as a mandatory part of PGS/PGD practice.
• Children produced through PGS/PGD must be registered and followed up to ensure their health and welfare.
• The potential impact of PGS/PGD on female pregnancies and termination in pro-male societies.
• The potential impact of PGS/PGD on discrimination of the disabled.
• Effect of X-linked diseases on marital status of women
• Financial support for families with lower income should be considered

The ethical problems in PGS/PGD testing arise when at least one of the above points is ignored.

Although PGS/PGD remain premier method to avoid propagation of genetic diseases, the impact of PGS/PGD testing is quiet harsh on couples and their families. In view of the above enumerated issues, this study will present the outcome of a sample of 100 patients undergone PGS/PGD testing, in relation to their expectations, high cost, psychological stress, success and may be to total disappointment.