Can IVF have genetic diseases?
IVF refers to the process of implanting the fertilized eggs into the mother's body for pregnancy after they are cultured to a certain stage in vitro through assisted reproductive technology. Because IVF fertilization is carried out in the laboratory, many people are concerned about whether IVF will have genetic diseases. In the following, we will elaborate on whether IVF will have genetic diseases from the aspects of inheritance mode of genetic diseases, selection of healthy embryos, genetic counseling, etc.
Inheritance mode of genetic diseases
The inheritance mode of genetic diseases mainly includes single gene genetic diseases and multifactor genetic diseases. Single gene genetic diseases are diseases caused by single gene mutations, such as cystic fibrosis, hereditary deafness, etc. Multifactorial genetic diseases are caused by the interaction of multiple genes and environmental factors, such as Down's syndrome, congenital heart disease, etc.
The risk of genetic diseases in IVF mainly comes from parents with genetic diseases. If parents have a single gene genetic disease, their offspring have a 50% probability of suffering from the same genetic disease; If parents suffer from multifactorial genetic diseases, the genetic risk of offspring will be affected by multiple genes and environmental factors. Therefore, the risk of genetic diseases in IVF is related to the genetic inheritance of parents.
In order to avoid IVF suffering from genetic diseases, doctors usually conduct genetic counseling and gene testing before IVF assisted reproduction technology to help parents choose healthy embryos.
Select healthy embryos
Healthy embryo selection of IVF is one of the important measures to reduce the risk of genetic diseases. In assisted reproductive technology, doctors usually culture the fertilized eggs to a certain cell division stage, and then carry out gene testing to select embryos carrying normal genes for implantation. This technique is called preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).
PGD technology can help parents screen out embryos carrying normal genes, thus reducing the risk of IVF suffering from genetic diseases. At present, most hospitals are equipped with PGD technology and actively promote the use of it in the process of IVF to improve the health rate of IVF.
The Importance of Genetic Counseling
Genetic counseling refers to the process of conducting genetic testing, assessing genetic risks and providing genetic counseling to parents through professional genetic experts. In the process of IVF, genetic counseling plays a vital role.
Through genetic counseling, parents can understand their own gene mutations and assess their own risk of genetic diseases. Genetic counseling can also provide correct genetic knowledge and advice, help parents make reasonable reproductive choices, and reduce the risk of IVF suffering from genetic diseases.
Reproductive medicine centers and genetics departments in major hospitals provide genetic counseling services. A couple can actively consult these experts before considering IVF, so as to have a more comprehensive understanding of their own and future children's genetic status.
summary
The risk of genetic diseases in IVF mainly depends on the genetic genes of parents. Through genetic counseling, PGD technology and making reasonable reproductive selection, the risk of IVF suffering from genetic diseases can be reduced. However, due to individual differences and the limitations of science and technology, it is difficult to completely eliminate the risk of genetic diseases. Therefore, when choosing IVF as an assisted reproductive technology, parents should fully understand the relevant risks and make decisions under the guidance of doctors and genetic experts.
