PGS & PGD genetic testing at a glance

Preimplantation genetic testing is performed before embryo transfer during IVF; this increases the chance of selecting a healthy embryo that will develop into a healthy baby. Pre-implantation genetic screening is generally used by couples with a family history of a serious or deadly disease who worry about passing it onto their offspring, while pre-implantation genetic diagnosis involves testing an embryo before it implants for a specific, known genetic disorder.

What is preimplantation genetic screening and diagnosis?

Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis is used so that embryos unaffected by the disorder can be returned to the uterus. Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis is prescribed for someone who has or is a carrier of a known genetic disorder. While a Pre-Implantation Genetic Screening may be recommended for someone with recurrent miscarriage, someone who is older or whose ovaries do not work as well as expected, or someone with multiple failed fertility treatments.

Pre-implantation genetic screening is generally used by couples with a family history of a serious or deadly disease who worry about passing it onto their offspring. As it helps by looking for specific markers for a certain disease, for example, single-gene disorders including cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anaemia. The screening provides information about the gene make-up of the cells found in an embryo. An embryo biopsy removes cells from the embryo, which are then sent to a lab for testing.