PGDIS
23 October 2007
The
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis International Society (PGDIS) is releasing a
statement in response to a Practice Committee Opinion issued today by the
American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).
The rationale for determining chromosomal status in transferring normal embryos
is unassailable. More than 50% of embryos created in the lab from In Vitro
Fertilization (IVF) are genetically abnormal - this is the de novo. However,
the practice committee of ASRM has released an opinion statement regarding the
practice of this screening approach during IVF.
Although the desired randomized trials have not been possible in North America
because of lack of governmental funding, careful analysis and abundant data
support that in experienced hands preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) is
unequivocally beneficial in patients suffering from translocations, repeated
spontaneous abortions, and often in advanced maternal age.
It is the opinion of PGDIS as the organization consisting of international
experts in this field (embryologists, geneticists and reproductive
endocrinologists) that the ASRM opinions have taken into consideration neither
contemporary literature nor facts that could have been provided by
embryologists, geneticists and laboratories responsible for over 90 percent of
these tests worldwide.
A beneficial effect requires experienced embryologists and geneticists who can
obtain blastomeres and analyze single cells in optimal fashion. Considerable
expertise is required.
"Couples should be informed that this is a valuable test in selected
cases," says Joe Leigh Simpson, MD and President of PGDIS. "This is
however a demanding test. There are only about 15-20 centers in the US that
have sufficient expertise to perform this test. Patients should be referred to
these highly experienced centers."
PGDIS has an active educational program and offers workshops to train
scientists in the requisite techniques. For more information on PGDIS, go to
www.pgdis.org. PGDIS holds open international meetings, the next one which is
April 25-27 in Barcelona, Spain.
About
PGDIS:
PGDIS
coordinates research, education and training in preimplantation genetic
diagnosis (PGD), requiring a close collaboration of obstetricians, fertility
specialists, embryologists and human geneticists, to insure safety and accuracy
of PGD and its application into clinical practice for improvement of genetic
practices and reproductive medicine.
PGDIS was organized in October 2002 and inaugurated during the 5th
International Symposium on Preimplantation Genetics, Antalya, Turkey, June 5-7,
2003.
Founding Members of PGDIS are the participants of the 4th International
Symposium on Preimplantation Genetics, Limassol, Cyprus, 2002; and 5th
International Symposium on Preimplantation Genetics, Antalia, Turkey, 2003.
The official Journal of PGDIS is Reproductive BioMedicine Online, which has
recently published many papers in this field.
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