The Maastricht Academic Hospital is the only facility in the Netherlands where embryo selection is done. The procedure involves performing in vitro fertilization, and then testing the resulting embryos for certain genetic diseases. Only embryos free of those diseases are then planted in the mother's womb. A new law passed in 2003 allowing embryo selection did not specify for which diseases it could be done, only that embryos could be selected in cases where a couple ran ‘a high individual risk of passing down a serious genetic disorder or disease."

Clarification
The Deputy Minister for Health, Jet Bussemaker, says she wants this to be clearer.

"Embryo selection is allowed, but the way it's dealt with isn't clear. And in other areas like euthanasia, abortion and in vitro fertilization, politicians set the framework, but we don't meddle in a doctor's consultations with a patient. We've now elaborated on that."
Ms Bussemaker has proposed two commissions to help clarify when the procedure can be done. One will be a national commission that will decide which diseases can be included. The other commission will be local, and will look at each case individually. The hospital in Maastricht already works with such a commission made up of doctors, ethicists and psychologists.

Deputy Minister Bussemaker was asked if the ethicists on such a commission might block certain procedures out of political interest.

"No, I don't think so. Maastricht already works with such a review commission precisely because these cases are very complex, so each individual case is reviewed by the hospital. We think that works well, let's keep it like that."

Praise
Diseases for which the commission in Maastricht has allowed embryo selection include Huntington's and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Now hereditary forms of breast and bowel cancer are to be included. The compromise has been widely praised. It allows both sides of the debate to claim victory. Those in favour of expanding embryo selection are pleased because it allows new diseases to be included. Those against it say this is the first time the practice has been codified, preventing what they fear is a slippery slope toward embryo selection for less serious factors.

The biggest concern is that the commissions might be used to exert political influence. Kees Vendrik of the Green Left party, for instance, does not want the Deputy Minister herself to appoint people to the commission.

"Will it be more of a political commission working under the authority of the deputy minister, where she determines the mandate and appoints its members herself? That goes against the basic assumption that politics has to stay out of the doctor-patient relationship."

Ms Bussemaker assured parliament that she would not be involved in appointing people to the commissions. A few weeks ago, many questioned the Deputy Minister of Health's judgment after she clumsily announced the expansion of embryo selection. How quickly things change. Today, politicians can't praise Ms Bussemaker enough for her deft handling of the issue.

Source: Reported by Radio Netherlands - political editor John Tyler, Copyright