When starting this process, many families have similar questions. We have listed these below. Feel free to peruse the list and if your concern is not addressed here, contact one of our genetic counselors at (313) 579-9650.
If you've not yet performed PGD for my specific mutation, how do we know Genesis Genetics will be able to help us?
Our Geneticists are world-renowned for their expertise in designing the probes necessary to test for some of the most complicated mutations. Discuss your mutation with one of our genetic counselors to learn more about the specific steps involved in this and how our laboratory may be able to help you.
See also: List of Genetic Disorders on our Testing page
How long will this process take?
The molecular DNA testing of a single cell is a complicated process; each test is custom designed specifically for each family at Genesis Genetics Institute. There is a significant amount of preliminary work that is required prior to you actually starting the IVF process. This scientific work varies depending on the disease, the family’s genetic mutations and the steps involved in customizing and optimizing the “molecular spell checkers.” The process of building your customized probe usually takes 12 weeks. Discuss the specifics of your case with our Genetic Counselors.
Are costs for PGD included in our IVF fees?
You are making an emotional, psychological and financial decision if you decide to use in vitro fertilization (IVF) and PGD to help you have a healthy baby. Well in advance of starting IVF, you should meet with the social and financial consultants at your reproductive clinic. The PGD laboratories at Genesis Genetics Institute are not involved in any way with these IVF discussions or fees. However, we want you to be pleased with the entire process, including the parts in which we are not directly involved.
There are many factors that enter into the costs quoted to you: where you live, if you have had problems getting pregnant, the type and amount of hormone medication, micromanipulation costs (ICSI, embryo biopsy), whether your insurance covers all/some of the process, etc. We join with your reproductive center in wanting you to be fully informed about these costs prior to starting the medical procedures. Fees are discussed during one of the conference calls in advance of starting the process.
See also: Financial Policies
How often is PGD used? Is it only used in a worse-case scenario or can it be used as a preventive measure as well?
We have a general attitude that PGD should be used for only the most serious inherited diseases. We believe strongly that it should not be used for "trait selection", such as gender.
See also: Testing
Will the biopsy hurt the embryo or cause any damage to a resulting child?
Our families sometimes worry this biopsy may harm the embryo. In the last decade, studies have been done which show the developing fetus is not compromised in any way as a result of the embryo biopsy. Biopsying the embryo is critical to the reliability of PGD. Each cell in an eight cell stage embryo contains that embryo’s entire genetic code. By using the biopsied cell for PGD testing, we are able to analyze as much of the genetic code as necessary to determine if the mutation exists in that specific embryo.
