Embryonic HLA Tissue Typing and Made-To-Match Siblings: The New Zealand Position

Abstract

In the absence of an HLA-identical donor, the parents of a seriously ill child in need of a haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplant may wish to conceive another child who is a tissue match and who may act as an HSC donor for their sick child. Embryonic human leukocyte antigen (HLA) tissue typing by means of preimplantation genetic diagnosis involves testing embryos to determine whether they are a tissue match with a would-be sibling in need of a transplant. Ethical Guidelines for performing PGD with HLA tissue typing were first introduced in New Zealand in March 2005. These guidelines have since been designated interim guidelines of the New Zealand statutory policy-making body, the Advisory Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology, pursuant to provisions of the Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2004. The interim guidelines are currently under review. This article argues that the restrictive position adopted by the interim guidelines and the proposed replacement guideline is problematic.