PGD (Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis) & Sex Selection

PGD & Sex Selection

What is PGD?

PGD - Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis PGD stands for Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis. This is a process by which parents may identify and even select genetic characteristics in their child. This is used mostly to prevent susceptibility to disease, birth defects, and handicaps. Commonly, PGD is used to prevent children from being born with autism, Down's syndrome, muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, Alzheimer's disease, and other disorders. When eggs are fertilized outside the womb, as they are in IVF, they can be evaluated so that those that are least susceptible to serious disease or genetic complications can be implanted. It should be noted that not all diseases have a genetic component, so signs of the disease's potential to develop later and life may not be present in the embryo stage. Also, PGD does not allow parents and doctors to "play God"; the parents may only select from the embryos which have been created, and genetic characteristics that are not possessed by either parent cannot be added to an embryo. PGD is simply a way for IVF patients and their partners to minimize the risks of genetic disorders.

What is sex selection?

For parents who would particularly like to have a girl rather than a boy, or a boy rather than a girl, sex selection is an available option to help ensure their child is of the sex they want. There are different methods for selecting the gender of a child, but virtually all involve sperm separation. By one of a number of techniques, sperm can be sorted into two groups: those containing the X-chromosome (female) and those containing the Y-chromosome (male). Following the separation of sperm, it may be used for insemination (see IUI) or IVF. Almost all couples will qualify for at least one sex selection procedure, and PGD can be used to further determine the genetic characteristics of embryos.