{"id":51776,"date":"2019-09-30T11:50:53","date_gmt":"2019-09-30T09:50:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/?p=51776"},"modified":"2022-04-12T17:35:35","modified_gmt":"2022-04-12T15:35:35","slug":"pgt-benefits-concerns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ivi-fertility.com\/blog\/pgt-benefits-concerns\/","title":{"rendered":"Preimplantation Genetic Testing: Benefits and Concerns"},"content":{"rendered":"

Preimplantation Genetic Testing <\/strong>(PGT) is used to examine the genetic and chromosomal makeup of a pre-embryo in the laboratory before it is implanted into the maternal womb. Like many scientific advances, this is a breakthrough that might hold the promise of hugely significant benefits to both individuals and scientific communities but also carries the potential for misuse. These potential uses of the technology in ways that were not part of the original intention have raised ethical concerns for current and future applications.<\/p>\n

In this article we explain how PGT works, and look at a range of preimplantation genetic testing pros and cons.<\/strong> We explain the situations in which it can provide benefits for a variety of people who may not otherwise have the ability to become parents, and review a number of ethical concerns around PGT.<\/p>\n

How does preimplantation genetic diagnosis work?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT)<\/a> is a technique used as part of the in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) process<\/a> to genetically assess the content of an embryo.\u00a0 To be able to study the genetic makeup of pre-embryos in the laboratory, it always involves IVF treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n

The process consists of ovarian stimulation to obtain oocytes, followed by fertilisation to create embryos. Embryo biopsies can be performed after three or five days following fertilisation, being the latter the most trendy approach. In this process few cells are micro-surgically extracted from the trophoblast (the part of the embryo that will become later on the placenta), without damaging the actual embryo. After the testing, the pre-embryos are then frozen awaiting for the results to come back, After this, only healthy embryos are selected for transfer to the maternal womb as part of the normal IVF procedure.<\/p>\n

Who can benefit from preimplantation genetic testing?<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are different indications for PGT. To begin with, there are more than 600 conditions in which a specific gene is the known cause and therefore PGT can be used to test for it in the embryo, minimizing the risk of a couple having an affected child by the disease. Additionally, PGT can be used to detect chromosomic abnormalities that can lead to a failure of implantation, a miscarriage or a baby with a syndrome (i.e. Down\u2019s syndrome).\u00a0 Last but not least, PGT can help couples at high risk of transmitting a known genetic condition on to their offspring. The most common conditions are Fragile X syndrome, Huntington\u2019s disease and Muscular Dystrophy.Taking the above into account, a wide variety of people can benefit from the technology, including:<\/p>\n

Couples at risk of having a genetic condition in their offspring or those who have already terminated a previous pregnancy because of that reason of\u00a0<\/p>\n