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Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)
What Is Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)?
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) involves screening embryos obtained via IVF for specific single gene disorders that children are at risk of inheriting from their parents. The purpose of the screening is to identify unaffected embryos and to transfer only embryos that are free of the genetic disorder to the woman's uterus. The objective of PGD is to increase the couple's chance of having a child who will not inherit the genetic disease.
Many single gene disorders can be tested via PGD. Some examples are:
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Hemophilia
- Huntington's Disease
- Marfan's Disease
- Muscular Distrophy
- Canavan Disease
- Fragile X Syndrome
- Gaycher's Disease
- Thalassemia
- Tay Sachs
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy
PGD is also used for carriers of unbalanced translocations who have experienced miscarriages or infertility. It permits the identification of embryos that are normal or contain balanced translocations, so that only they can be transferred to the woman's uterus.
The PGD Process
When PGD is performed the embryos are first obtained via IVF. The evaluation of the embryos by PGD then takes place in the laboratory and involves a biopsy of embryonic cells to obtain sufficient cellular material to conduct the PGD analysis. Unaffected embryos are then transferred into the woman's uterus.
Topics Covered When We Educate Our Clients About PGD
- IVF;
- General factors to consider when choosing a fertility clinic for IVF with PGD;
- Fertility clinic success rates for IVF with PGD;
- Comparative analysis of world renowned, elite fertility clinics on the cutting edge that have extensive experience with IVF with PGD;
- Comparative analysis of the best performing fertility clinics in your specific geographic area for IVF with PGD;
- Questions to ask about a fertility clinic's track record with IVF with PGD at an initial consultation with a fertility doctor; and
- Choosing a doctor within a fertility clinic for IVF with PGD.