Couples at high risk for genetic disorders would prefer to have pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) rather than risk terminating a pregnancy later, a study from Fertility and Sterility Journal showed.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is performed after in-vitro fertilization where an embryo is tested for mutations that can lead to genetic defects, before being implanted into the uterus. Obviously, PGD reduces the need for prenatal genetic testing in the middle of a pregnancy, and avoid having to choose between terminating or continuing on with the pregnancy.

The study showed that among 210 Dutch couples with genetic disorders, 60% would prefer diagnostic testing and, of these 74% preferred PGD over prenatal testing. Couples who are high risk for specific disorders and where there are definitive genetic tests available, like breast cancer, would benefit from this procedure. There was a report earlier this year of the first “designer baby” born free a risk of breast cancer (she does not have the BRCA1 in her genes).

But I’m not sure that PGD would eliminate passing on all possible genetic mutations to the offspring, especially in complex diseases like heart diseases where there are just too many factors (genetic and environment) that can affect one’s inheritance of a disease.

H/T – LA Times Blog 

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Post from: Genetics & Health