It is now possible through In Vitro Fertilization coupled with Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis to transfer only the embryos that do not carry the abnormal gene. PGD is a valuable tool to identify diseased embryos after in vitro fertilization but before transferring the embryo to the uterus. Three days following in vitro fertilization, the embryo consists of 6-8 cells. During this procedure, one of the 6-8 cells of the embryo is microsurgically removed for testing. As an example, it is possible to test this cell for the presence of the gene mutation responsible for Muscular Dystrophy.

Sophisticated molecular genetic procedures are applied to identify the presence or absence of this specific genetic mutation in the sampled cells. One or two of the embryos that test free of this disease can be transferred to the wife’s uterus two days later. There are a growing number of serious genetic disorders in which PGD may benefit families. It is our opinion at FIRM that Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis represents more technology than ought to be employed to achieve objectives that are not related to the prevention of serious diseases.

A Story About PGD

A wonderful, bright and beautiful young woman accepted the proposal of marriage tendered by a fine, intelligent handsome young man. They married. Their mating was blessed; they became the parents of a healthy baby boy. Their lives seemed storybook. Then, the child’s vigor began slowly, progressively to disappear. The diagnosis of Muscular Dystrophy was made at age four years. There had been no family history of this disorder; it was the consequence of a new mutation. The parents were notified that their beloved son would be confined to a wheelchair for most of his elementary school education and was not likely to live much beyond high school age. Death would be preceded by a relentless progression of his disability. The couple hoped that their son would have a sibling. They were counseled that if their second child was a male there was a 50% chance he would inherit the same progressively disabling disease. If they were to have a daughter, she would be healthy but have a 50% chance of being a carrier of the gene mutation responsible for Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy. They wondered what the day would be like when the results of the test to determine her carrier status became available. Would she be marriageable if discovered to be a carrier? If she was a carrier and married around the year 2040 would there be a treatment for Muscular Dystrophy or would there simply be better ways to assure that a child born would not have the affliction?

It is now possible through In Vitro Fertilization coupled with Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis to transfer only embryos that do not carry the abnormal gene. One of the cells of each embryo can be tested for the presence of the gene mutation responsible for Muscular Dystrophy. In ideal circumstances, only one or two unaffected embryos will be transferred to the wife’s uterus.