Pre-Implantation Genetic Screening (PGS)

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang

MP for Nee Soon GRC 

Question No. 638

To ask the Minister for Health considering that gender bias for Pre-Implantation Genetic Screening (PGS) can now be blinded, whether the Ministry will consider permitting women with recurrent miscarriages or a history of infertility to seek PGS in Singapore.

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Miss Cheng Li Hui

MP for Tampines GRC 

Question No. 715

To ask the Minister for Health whether the Ministry will consider permitting Pre-Implantation Genetic Screening to improve the chances of healthy live births, subject to strict controls such as banning sex selection and use for other non-medical reasons.

Oral Answer

1.    MOH had previously received requests to allow PGS to identify chromosomal abnormalities in embryos created through in-vitro fertilization (IVF), with the aim of improving the chances of conceiving.  We had not granted approval so far as the published evidence had been unclear.  In recent years however, newer technologies for PGS have emerged and some jurisdictions have now allowed PGS.

2.    MOH is therefore reviewing the clinical effectiveness of PGS and its ethical implications.  To assess clinical effectiveness, NUH will be conducting a three-year pilot PGS programme which will commence by early next year.

3.    MOH will also look into the ethical concerns and regulation of PGS.  For example, we will need to ensure that embryos are not eliminated solely based on parental preferences on characteristics such as gender. 

4.    MOH will consult stakeholders and the public to gather views.