Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)

This is a technique which is often carried out as part of IVF treatment. It is a form of genetic testing which screens embryos for a range of genetic diseases which include the following:

• Down’s syndrome
• Tay Sach’s disease
• Sickle cell anaemia
• Kleinfelter’s syndrome
• Edwards syndrome
• Huntingdon’s disease
• Turner’s syndrome
• Cystic fibrosis
• Polycystic kidney disease
• Haemophilia
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)

The embryo is screened for disease during stage 2 of IVF treatment in which the eggs and sperm are fertilised under controlled laboratory conditions. This screening is carried out before the embryo is transferred to the woman’s uterus.

Other reasons it is carried out include: checking embryos for chromosomal abnormalities and choosing the best embryos for implantation.

This screening enables potential genetic diseases to be detected at an early stage. If screening does reveal a genetic disorder, for example Down’s syndrome then the couple concerned will be able to make a decision about the pregnancy.

Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) Guide Index:

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• Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)
• Ethical and moral issues with PGD
• Who is suitable for PGD?

• Is PGD effective?
• The PGD procedure
• Pre-implantation genetic screening for aneuploidy

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