<P> The preimplantation genetic diagnosis is allowed in Ukraine and from November 1, 2013 is regulated by the order of the Ministry of health of Ukraine "On approval of the application of assisted reproductive technologies in Ukraine" from 09.09. 2013 No 787 . (2). </P> <P> In the UK, assisted reproductive technologies are regulated under the Human Fertilization and Embryology Act (HFE) of 2008 . However, the HFE Act does not address issues surrounding PGD . Thus, the HFE Authority (HFEA) was created in 2003 to act as a national regulatory agency which issues licenses and monitors clinics providing PGD . The HFEA only permits the use of PGD where the clinic concerned has a licence from the HFEA and sets out the rules for this licensing in its Code of Practice ((3)). Each clinic, and each medical condition, requires a separate application where the HFEA check the suitability of the genetic test proposed and the staff skills and facilities of the clinic . Only then can PGD be used for a patient . </P> <P> The HFEA strictly prohibits sex selection for social or cultural reasons, but allows it to avoid sex - linked disorders . They state that PGD is not acceptable for, "social or psychological characteristics, normal physical variations, or any other conditions which are not associated with disability or a serious medical condition ." It is however accessible to couples or individuals with a known family history of serious genetic diseases . Nevertheless, the HFEA regards intersex variations as a "serious genetic disease", such as 5 - alpha - reductase deficiency, a trait associated with some elite women athletes . Intersex advocates argue that such decisions are based on social norms of sex gender, and cultural reasons . </P> <P> No uniform system for regulation of assisted reproductive technologies, including genetic testing, exists in the United States . The practice and regulation of PGD most often falls under state laws or professional guidelines as the federal government does not have direct jurisdiction over the practice of medicine . To date, no state has implemented laws directly pertaining to PGD, therefore leaving researchers and clinicians to abide to guidelines set by the professional associations . The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that all clinics providing IVF must report pregnancy success rates annually to the federal government, but reporting of PGD use and outcomes is not required . Professional organizations, such as the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), have provided limited guidance on the ethical uses of PGD . The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) states that, "PGD should be regarded as an established technique with specific and expanding applications for standard clinical practice ." They also state, "While the use of PGD for the purpose of preventing sex - linked diseases is ethical, the use of PGD solely for sex selection is discouraged ." </P>

Embryonic biopsy as part of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis