Too few testing for genetic disorders
(wz) Hamilton gynaecologist V P Singh is concerned a fertility treatment which improves the chances of couples not passing their genetic disorders on is not being used to its full potential in the Waikato.
Fertility Associates in Hamilton can now test in-vitro fertilised (IVF) embryos for genetic disorders. The process is called pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and it screens embryos for diseases such as fragile x and huntington’s disease before the embryos are implanted in the womb. This prevents children being born with disorders such as cystic fibrosis.
But Dr Singh said the PGD service was not being used enough by Waikato patients, despite it being approved for government funding since September 2006. It costs about $12,000 to test embryos for genetic disorders but it is free to couples who test positive for genetic diseases. The Government funds 40 cycles of testing every year around New Zealand.
Dr Singh said PGD had been under-utilised in the Waikato because patients were not aware of the procedure and didn’t understand the science behind it. He said ethical issues which surrounded genetic testing had also prevented PGD from reaching its potential. more…
From: »Waikato Times« (NZ)