Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a procedure performed when performing assisted playbackAlso known as artificial insemination. This is something that occurs when a woman is unable to get pregnant naturally.
Throughout this article we will find out what exactly PGD refers to in a much more extensive way. Likewise, we will see how it benefits pregnancy and the methods that must be carried out for it to be successful.
What is Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis?
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis, as well indicated in the article Preimplantation genetic diagnosis: scope and limitations, studies ova and embryos. The reason is that you want to avoid implanting embryos that could lead to a miscarriage or the birth of a not quite healthy baby.
This is an advantage in assisted reproduction. When a woman becomes pregnant by the natural method, she cannot choose between a healthy or an unhealthy embryo. By carrying out preimplantation genetic diagnosis, this makes it possible to prevent the baby from being born with Down syndrome or Turner syndrome, among others.
Method
Before implantation of the egg in the woman’s uterus, doctors perform preimplantation genetic diagnosis. To do this, in vitro fertilization is carried out and the fertilized eggs are placed in a glass capsule. There they wait 3 or 5 days to analyze how they are developing.
After that time, a biopsy is performed on each of the embryos to discover genetic problems. Subsequently, up to 3 healthy embryos are selected and implanted in the woman’s uterus.
What if the woman cannot get pregnant? Do you have to repeat the whole process? The answer is no because, although only 3 embryos are chosen for implantation, there could be many other healthy ones. In these cases, they may be frozen so that they can be tried again.
A useful technique
While we may think that this only happens when a woman fails to get pregnant naturally, the truth is this It is a useful technique in those cases where there is a disease in the family that is inherited.
This way, you can choose that healthy embryo, free from any hereditary alteration that can affect your life. Undoubtedly, in these situations it is even a recommended technique. However, it continues to generate debate.
Ethics in preimplantation genetic diagnosis
As the article points out Preimplantation genetic diagnosis of human embryos. Technique, ethics and theology, there are still some ethical concerns regarding the disposal of embryosconsidered human beings, in their first stage of development.
Indeed, we speak of the personal dignity of the human embryo and respect for maintaining the natural order of things. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis is believed to go against this, as it allows for the selection of the healthiest embryos so that they are free from any genetic alterations.
No doubt this point of view is entirely respectable. However, If there is a chance to have healthy children, why not do it? Today there are these types of methods to prevent children from being born with a disease that can allow them to live for a limited time, although it all depends on the degree of affectation with which they are born.
The option exists, above all, for those women who find it difficult to get pregnant or who are afraid of having children because there is a high probability that they will inherit a disease. It is a valid alternative to which you can choose or not based on our values.
If your family has a hereditary degenerative disease Would you submit your oocytes to preimplantation genetic diagnosis? What do you think of this procedure? We hope this article has enabled you to discover an option to ensure the birth of a healthy baby free from any genetic alterations.
Post-implantation genetic diagnosis first appeared in research-school.