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Is PGD as easy ABC or 1-2-3?

© Laura Ruth

The letters PGD do not begin an alphabet like ABC. Instead, the letters stand for preimplantation genetic diagnosis. PGD is a medical genetic reproductive technique that can be used at the beginning of in-vitro-fertilization (IVF). If your biological reproductive clock has been ticking or there is a history of a disease in your family, you may wonder what diseases PGD detects. PGD can detect at least 21 different genetic diseases. Down syndrome, Cystic Fibrosis, Huntington's Disease, and Fragile X are a few of the common diseases PGD detects.

Advances in molecular medicine technology make it easier to screen potential IVF embryos for genetic diseases. PGD use started in the 1990s with just 100 cases per year. PGD use has grown to more than 2000 cases performed in the last 10 years. IVF embryos, which were screened with PGD procedures, have produced approximately 300 children. The PGD procedure involves 7-8 steps. The 7-8 steps include harvesting an egg, culturing an egg, and then genetic testing the egg. Fertilized egg transfer, implantation, and a chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis follow-up on the developing embryo are three final steps after the PGD testing of the egg. The American Society of Reproductive Medicine (http://www.asrm.org) is one association to consult for further disease listings and questions about PGD.

REFERENCES

Reproductive Genetics Institute, Chicago, IL http://www.reproductivegenetics.com

Verlinsky, Y. "Preimplantation Diagnosis: An Alternative to Prenatal Diagnosis of Genetic and Chromosomal Disorders" J. Assisted Reproduction and Genetics 16(4) 161-164, 1999.

Verlinsky, Y. & Kuliev, A. "Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis" Reproductive Medicine Review 7(1), 1-10, 1999.

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