Doctors and patients demanded in court Thursday that the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology allow the controversial preimplantation genetic diagnosis of embryos.
In the damages suit, the plaintiffs are demanding 77 million yen from the society for severely restricting opportunities for such diagnosis under its 1998 guidelines.
During the opening session of proceedings at the Tokyo District Court, attorneys representing the plaintiffs urged the society to nullify the guidelines. The plaintiffs are Tetsuo Otani of Otani Women's Clinic in Kobe, Yahiro Nezu of Suwa Maternity Clinic in Nagano Prefecture, and five couples who claim they require the diagnosis.