So, let’s dive into the conversation around preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) — a topic that comes with its fair share of ethical questions and some misconceptions, especially when it’s part of the IVF journey. It’s important to understand what PGS really is and how it can help folks looking to start their families.
In simple terms, PGS is a great tool for helping to create a healthy baby. It happens before the embryo transfer, meaning it’s not about selective abortion or anything like that.
What’s Preimplantation Genetic Screening?
During the IVF process, eggs are collected and fertilized with sperm in a lab. After about five to six days, these embryos develop to the blastocyst stage. At this point, an embryologist carefully takes a few cells from the pre-placenta area to screen for specific genetic abnormalities. This testing usually focuses on known issues related to your family or ethnic background, although it can also identify abnormal chromosome counts. The screening process is tailored to each couple, and it can take a few months to complete before moving forward with the embryo transfer. Don’t worry; the cell removal is harmless to the embryo itself.
Is PGS Ethical?
Now, the big question: is PGS ethical? The goal is to ensure that parents have a healthy baby, which can ease potential health risks for the parent or surrogate and lead to a smoother pregnancy. While PGS doesn’t catch every possible health issue, it can identify the most common ones and help focus on risks relevant to your family history, like cystic fibrosis. It’s also valuable for spotting mutations that could lead to miscarriage.
Keep in mind that during IVF, it’s normal for some embryos to be discarded since more are typically created than needed. If you have concerns about discarding embryos, you might want to explore other fertility options. With PGS, the embryos that are not selected often have genetic issues that would impact their viability.
In short, PGS can be seen as an ethical way to help you grow your family. Some people also consider using PGS to choose the gender of their child, especially if they have a genetic condition that affects a specific gender more than others. Ultimately, the decision to use PGS is personal and should be made based on what feels right for each couple.
Who Should Consider PGS?
Not every couple needs PGS, but you might want to think about it if:
- You or your partner have a history of hereditary genetic disorders.
- One of you has a chromosomal anomaly.
- The eggs are from someone aged 35 or older, which increases the risk of Down Syndrome.
- You’re doing IVF due to past miscarriages or difficulty carrying a pregnancy to term.
However, it’s available for anyone who thinks it would provide peace of mind. As one of our past clients, Lisa, mentioned, “Knowing what we know about our PGS results, we’re so relieved we went through with it. Some of our embryos weren’t viable, and it made our IVF journey feel so much more manageable.”
The aim of PGS is all about ensuring a healthy baby and a positive experience while building your family. If you’re interested in learning more about PGS, check out our blog on its pros and cons. Also, if you’re curious about when it’s safe to apply lotion on infants, this is one of our other blog posts that could provide helpful insights.
Summary
Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS) is a valuable resource for couples looking to ensure the health of their future children during the IVF process. While ethical concerns exist, PGS aims to reduce the risk of genetic disorders and support a smooth pregnancy. It’s particularly beneficial for those with specific genetic concerns or advanced maternal age, but ultimately, the decision to use it is deeply personal.