The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) has published an updated set of best practice guidelines for fertility clinics on the use of PGD (preimplantation genetic diagnosis) and PGS (preimplantation genetic screening) techniques.
The new guidelines are separated into four documents intended 'as a set which…form a complete best-practice compendium', said Dr Gary Harton, the ESHRE PGD Consortium chair and Head of Molecular Genetics at Reprogenetics in New Jersey. The first document offers guidance on the organisation of a PGD centre, including criteria for selecting patients, the provision of counselling and accreditation.
The other three relate to PGD/PGS methods: DNA amplification-based testing, fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH)-based testing and biopsy/embryology. The fourth guideline updates when and how embryos and polar bodies - chromosomes discarded by eggs during fertilisation that can be screened for maternal chromosomal abnormalities - should be biopsied and stored.
Previous guidance issued in 2005 suggested PGD, which commonly involves the removal and testing of one or two cells from an eight-cell blastomere, is technically more demanding than other routine genetic tests and requires specific guidance.
The Consortium included PGS in its guidance to 'develop the best laboratory and clinical practice possible', said a press release, despite evidence suggesting the technique is ineffective using current technology at embryo cleavage stage. Future trials may show PGS to be more effective, if used at the blastocyst stage or on polar bodies.
In 2005, the Consortium devised comprehensive guidelines because there was no scientific consensus on the clinical and technical aspects of PGD and many countries lacked regulation. The Consortium decided to revise its guidelines because of rapid developments in PGD application and techniques since 2005 and greater availability to patients.
All four papers were published online in the journal Human Reproduction on 21 October 2010.
Sources and References
Related Articles
Reply to Mertes, Repping and de Wert 'Stating the obvious: discarding embryos does not increase your chance of having a baby'
It is clear from the reply of Mertes et al in BioNews 835 to the COGEN Consensus Statement on preimplanation genetic screening that some controversy still remains regarding the benefits of PGS...
Baby born with genetic disease after embryo test 'mistakes'
A baby has been born with a genetic condition after a laboratory used by a Nottingham fertility clinic reportedly made a mistake interpreting PGD results...
First baby born from 'cheaper' gene sequencing of IVF embryos
A 'powerful' form of genome analysis could improve embryo selection for IVF, according to scientists who report that the first baby has been born from this method...
First study of chromosome test suggests increase in IVF success
An IVF test which checks whether embryos carry the correct number of chromosomes could improve the chances of a successful pregnancy, a clinical trial suggests. The test — developed by the biotech company Blue Gnome — is used five days after an egg has been fertilised and helps doctors select which embryos should be implanted during IVF treatment...
Progress Educational Trust conference: Making the grade
The third session of the Progress Educational Trust's annual conference 'The Best Possible Start in Life: The Robust and Responsive Embryo' boasted a redoubtable roll-call of eminent clinicians and researchers as speakers...
Report backs role of PGS in assisted reproduction
The successful use of PGS (preimplantation genetic screening) can be linked to access to appropriate technologies and the skill level and techniques used by embryologists, new research has found....
Celebrating 20 years of preimplantation genetic diagnosis
At the beginning of this month, following the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) annual meeting in Rome, a workshop was held to celebrate 20 years of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)...
Book Review: A Guide to Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis
This guide is invaluable for anyone who has an interest in preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), particularly those who do not have a scientific background and are interested in the regulatory and ethical issues associated with this technology...
The case for case-by-case regulation of PGD: a response to Dr David King
The Genetic Interest Group (GIG) welcomed the UK's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA)’s review of the case-by-case approach to the licensing of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for late-onset conditions and for tissue typing of embryos to produce a 'saviour sibling'. I attended the HFEA's consultation event at which Dr David King spoke on 1 December last year and heard his presentation. Then, as in his BioNews comment
The case for case-by-case regulation of PGD
On 20 January, the UK's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) will decide whether to continue the case-by-case regulation of two types of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) applications: those for late onset conditions and tissue typing of embryos to produce a 'saviour sibling'....
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.