Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)

Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)

Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD, also called PGT-M) is designed to identify embryos with inherited genetic abnormalities. These abnormalities (eg: thalassemia), present in one or both parents, could be passed to embryos. During PGD, a small number of cells are removed from the embryo, and the DNA is tested to identify the embryos that have not got the disease gene from the parents.

Couples who choose PGD could usually conceive naturally, but are using IVF specifically so that they can have healthy babies, and prevent passing on of the abnormal genes to subsequent generations.