PGD

For the last 10 years, PGD has been used in approximately 2,500 cases worldwide — resulting in the births of many many healthy babies.

PGD can be used for two particular groups of patients:

For patients who have a known genetic disorder such as Cystic Fibrosis, Tay-Sachs Disease, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Hemophilia A, Sickle Cell disease, Thalassemia and X-linked Hydrocephalus. It is possible to do PGD for most genetic disorders with an identifiable mutation.

For patients who have chromosomal abnormalities (the wrong number of chromosomes due to female age) and translocations (a rearrangement in which segments are exchanged between chromosomes).

If PGD is a recommended course of action, then a full cycle of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is necessary.

On Day 3 post-egg collection each embryo is biopsied for genetic analysis. Once the biopsy is complete, the embryos are returned to the incubator to await the results of the analysis. The embryo compensates for the removed cell and should continue to grow following the biopsy.