Why is Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis – PGD performed?
Genetic disorders are devastating to the child and the family. Most parents who are carriers of genetic disorders don’t want to pass their disorder on to their children. Prior to PGD, parents were limited in their options and either took the risks of passing on the gene or chose adoption, embryo donation or surrogacy. PGD is also tremendously helpful in increasing the success rate of the IVF process. Studies have shown that in couples having trouble conceiving, over half of the embryos are genetically defective. PGD will be a significant boon to routine IVF patients because the implantation of abnormal embryos will be eliminated, thus giving every embryo transferred a good chance of implanting. Since the embryologist has to pick three to four embryos for implantation during IVF, why not pick those that are the most viable?
