Advances in PGD on the way

Present testing methods have the ability to detect about 150 genetic disorders in embryos. But there are approximately 6,000 disorders that can result from single gene mutations. New technology may be available soon to screen for a larger number of these defects.

To take advantage of the new technology, and to reduce the number of genetic disorders in IVF babies (reportedly as high as 40% in some countries' studies), Health Canada plans to introduce PGD as standard procedure at IVF clinics in May 2006. No reports yet on who will shoulder the extra cost of IVF.