New embryo test screens for hundreds of diseases

Families with a genetic history of certain diseases now have the chance to opt for a new screening test to help screen out affected embryos. This new PGH test, developed by Guy's Hospital in London, can quickly screen for lots of diseases. Mothers can then choose to be implanted with an unaffected embryo with IVF treatment.

Illnesses that could be picked up by the new test include Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, cystic fibrosis Fragile X Syndrome, Myotonic Dystrophy and Prader-Willi Syndrome.

Professor Peter Braude, who helped to develop the PGH test explained: 'It doesn't matter what the genetic fault is. We can know the same chromosome that has affected a family member, and know the embryo is also affected.'

News of the new test comes when a London hospital has applied for permission to screen for female embryos for families affected by autism. Although only one in ten cases of autism are inherited, and the condition is only more likely to affect boys rather than girls, the doctors at UCH said; 'Normally we would not consider this unless there were at least two boys affected in the immediate family.'

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