Issue 94, September 2006
Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) in New Zealand
Alice Christian - Senior Genetic Associate,
Central and Southern Regional Genetic Services
Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is a technique whereby
fertilized embryos can be tested for specific genetic conditions prior to being
implanted within the mother's womb.
PGD involves using in-vitro fertilization (IVF), a process frequently used by
infertile couples to improve their chances of conceiving a pregnancy. The
prospective mother's egg is fertilized outside the body using sperm from the
prospective father. Fertilized eggs hopefully become embryos. They are then
cultured in the laboratory to the eight-cell stage (three days). One (or more)
of the cells from the embryo is then removed (embryo biopsy) and tested for the
genetic condition in question. Only those embryos unaffected by the condition and
which appear to be growing well are implanted back into the mother.
PGD is an additional option for couples where one or both partners carry a gene
mutation for a serious genetic condition that may affect their children. PGD may
allow them to have a family free of that particular condition. It has the
advantage of allowing the couple to have their own biological children while
potentially avoiding termination of an affected pregnancy.
In New Zealand ethical approval has been received for provision of PGD under
specific circumstances. Couples where one partner carries an expanded HD gene
mutation are eligible for PGD. Other conditions that are approved for PGD include
cystic fibrosis, beta- thalassaemia and spinocerebellar ataxia and myotonic
dystrophy. The government has announced limited funding for PGD but issues of
eligibility and access are still being considered. It is hoped that by the end of
2006 the first couples will be receiving government funded PGD. However, there is
likely to be a waiting list.
Privately funded PGD is being performed in New Zealand. The cost is approximately
$15 000 for a single cycle (attempt at pregnancy) and is accessed through private
fertility clinics. At the time of writing only Fertility Associates in Auckland
are providing embryo biopsy, although other clinics are likely to offer this in
the future. Due to the limited availability of procedures a couple may need to
travel to complete the PGD process.
For example a couple may have egg stimulation, blood tests and monitoring scans
at home, then travel to Auckland where the embryos are allowed to grow for
approximately three days. The embryos are then biopsied and cells sent to
Australia (without their parents!) for genetic testing. Fertility Associates are
then advised of the test results and the best choice of embryo is transferred into
the mother approximately two days after the biopsy was performed, when the embryo
is at the five day stage. This is termed transport PGD.
There are a number of drawbacks to PGD, which include:
- The medicalisation of a pregnancy (there are a lot of people helping you get
pregnant - not that romantic).
- The potential cost and inconvenience.
- Genetic testing must have been performed for the parent/s and preliminary
testing performed to confirm that genetic testing can be performed for a
specific couple.
- The technology is not guaranteed, and so some embryos may not return a
result at all.
- Couples are still recommended to have pregnancy testing (chorionic villous
sample or amniocentesis) to confirm that the baby does not carry the expanded
HD gene.
- The technology appears to be safe, but potentially there may be long term
effects on an individual born via PGD technology that have not been
identified.
- PGD pregnancies are subject to the same risks as all pregnancies - the
conception may not result in a viable pregnancy, other genetic conditions may
be present, and there is a background risk of miscarriage.
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Despite this, PGD technology has been the preferred choice for many families who
wish to avoid a genetic condition in their children.
For more information you may wish to view the "Guidelines for Pre-implantation
Genetic Diagnosis" available from the NECAHR (National Ethics Committee on
assisted Human Reproduction) website (www.newhealth.govt.nz). Sydney IVF has an
excellent website outlining information about PGD.
If you want to get the ball rolling, you can ask your GP for a referral to your
nearest genetic service, or fertility clinic.
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