PGD
Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis
Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) involves proven and adequately tested Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) which are quite safe, reliable and ethically acceptable. In-vitro fertilization is now widely adopted and it is used as the basis of all of our gender selection programs.
Who can benefit from PGD?
Either one of a couple carrying a single gene defect, by testing for specific genetic disorders
Women aged 35+, by testing for age-related chromosomal disorders
Younger women with repeated unexplained miscarriages, by testing for chromosomal disorders
Couples wanting to balance their family.
What is PGD?
Two days after fertilisation, embryos consist of eight cells and are the size of this full stop. Science is now so advanced, that at this stage is it possible to safely remove a single cell, analyse it for a range of gender-specific chromosomal disorders and ensure only unaffected embryos are implanted in the womb. This specialist technique is called Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD).
A single cell, carrying material used to support the foetus's development, is removed from the embryo and its chromosome structure is analysed in carefully controlled laboratory conditions, with the X and Y chromosomes clearly distinguishable. The removal of a single cell does not damage the embryo's development in any way, and each embryo will continue to grow normally.
Why PGD?
Babies born with chromosome abnormalities occur in
1 in 1,000 births in women aged 30 or younger
1 in 350 births by 35
1 in 100 births by 40
and ultimately 1 in 25 births by 45.
The purpose of PGD is to select only healthy embryos (for the chromosomes we can so far test for) for implantation in the hope of achieving more pregnancies, less spontaneous miscarriages and less affected offspring.
PGD Cycle
Benefits of PGD
Risks of PGD
Our Vision
General Disclaimer
The information on this site is intended for information and educational purposes only. Professor Zavos is not a real medical doctor and therefore nothing on this site, nor any correspondence with him, should not be taken as medical advice. Contacting the International Institute for Gender Selection does not constitute a patient/doctor relationship.