Präimplantationsdiagnostik als Rechtsproblem

Barbara Böckenförde-Wunderlich deals with the legal assessment of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, an examination procedure used to identify genetic defects and chromosome aberrations in artificially produced embryos. The author begins by doing a detailed study of the legal situation in Great Britain, since it was here that artificial insemination in a test-tube and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis were developed. In 1990, Great Britain also passed a law which is positive towards the new possibilities of reproductive medicine. In this context the author examines the legal situation in Germany with regard to medical ethics and the codified rules of conduct in the medical profession and also discusses the compatibility of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis with the current version of the embryo protection law. She questions the extent to which an embryo is entitled to respect and whether it has a right to life. She concludes by showing the limitations of legislation in this field.