REPRODUCTIVE GENETICS - CANADIAN AND EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVES

Unlike medically assisted conception, the issue of the impact on women of reproductive genetic testing has been characterized by the emergen ce of a more 'relativist' position. This relativist position is ground ed in the understanding of the universality of problems arising from h uman genetics. An analysis of the major reports emanating from differe nt European countries will demonstrate that the discussion regarding t he impact of medically assisted conception and reproductive genetic te sting on women is often incidental and secondary. There are similariti es and differences in the issues raised in the evaluation of both thes e technologies. Similarities, in their experimental character, the con comitant social pressure, the myth of the perfect child and the increa sed medicalization. Differences, in the inherent responsibility or gui lt accompanying genetic testing, the timing of choices, the possibilit y of sex selection, the use and control of genetic information, the se nse of intergenerational responsibility and the current qualification of such genetic testing as medical and diagnostic as opposed to a tech nology of 'convenience' as was often the case with the treatment of in fertility. In contrast to the European reports, the work of the Canadi an Royal Commission on New Reproductive Technologies has as its primar y focus the impact of both these technologies on women, children and s ociety.