Preimplantation Genetic Testing: Current Status and Future Prospects

While in vitro fertilization (IVF) is most often employed as a remedy for infertility, a discussion of the field would not be complete if it did not address the application of IVF to avoid genetic disorders. IVF makes it possible to assess the genetic status of the embryo before establishing a pregnancy when couples are at risk for an affected child. Physicians in the field will benefit from being informed about the diverse set of molecular and cytogenetic technologies employed in preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and screening (PGS), and from understanding their relative power and limitations as tools for genetic counseling.