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.

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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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