Genetic Analysis in Mumbai, India

Currently, the cures for many genetic conditions do not exist and are not likely to be found soon and there are often some substantial risks or adverse effects related to the available treatments. The psychological impact of late-onset conditions on those at risk and on their families is significant, even if effective, affordable treatments were available. Hence, it is a better option to prevent the condition versus waiting for a possible cure to eventually become available. Genetic analyses are done using two techniques at Global IVF  Fertility :

1. PGD (Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis)

It is a process in which the genetic makeup of the embryo is studied before implantation into the uterus.

Who can benefit from PGD?

PGD is generally an option for couples who have had a history of genetic abnormalities in the family and do not wish to pass them on to their offspring. For example, if a parent has any type of genetic abnormality, there are 50% chance of passing on the disease to their child. PGD also rules out the possibility of any specific diseases that are caused by genetic and chromosomal abnormalities like cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia. Parents also use PGD to find matching stem cells for the siblings in need of bone marrow.

2. PGS  (Pre implantation screening)

It is a process in which a few cells from the embryo are taken and sent to the lab for analyzing the number of chromosomes in the embryo. A chromosome is a package of DNA/genes, where a normal embryo will have 46 chromosomes the abnormal one will have a missing or extra chromosome. For normal growth and development, the normal number of chromosomes is important. This type of test is done to find out whether the embryo has a normal number of chromosomes or abnormal. An abnormal set of chromosomes in the embryo will have fewer chances of implantation as compared to the one with a normal number of chromosomes. The embryo with an abnormal number of chromosomes does result in a baby, but the child usually has any kind of genetic disease like Down’s syndrome, Turner’s syndrome, or trisomy 13.

Read our blog on PGD to know more about the process. https://goralgandhi.com/pre-implantation-genetic-diagnosis-an-overview/