Gender PGD Selection

Gender PGD Selection

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis is a procedure that screens for specific genetic diseases for couples that are at known risk for transmission to their children. It can be offered in combination with in vitro fertilization, in which a cell from an embryo is extracted and tested as a means for couples to avoid passing on any severe genetic disorders to their offspring. Embryos created using IVF are tested for the genetic condition and selected out prior to implantation in the uterus.

The PGD process can be used to screen for many conditions including Down’s Syndrome, Trisomy 21, Tay Sachs Disease, hemophilia A and B, Gaucher’s Disease, and Sickle Cell Anemia. Testing for the most common chromosomal problems allows the physician to determine which embryos will likely result in a healthy pregnancy. PGD can also possibly provide information about why previous fertility treatments failed and the success rates are similar to regular In Vitro Fertilization.

Some genetic diseases can only occur in a particular gender. One example of this is hemophilia A and B, which are generally X linked recessive and occur in males. PGD can also be used for gender selection. Many times couples already have a child of one sex and want to have another child of the other gender. Gender selection success rates approach 100 %.

PGD is performed in conjunction with the in vitro fertilization cycle to produce embryos for biopsy. Once the embryos mature they are ready for the PGD procedure. A small sample of the embryos DNA is taken for examination. Embryos with the correct number or chromosomes or of the selected sex and without genetic defect are transferred to the mother.