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What are the pros and cons of using PGT-A / PGS testing on embryos?

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2 fertility expert(s) answered this question

Answer from: Raúl Olivares, MD

Gynaecologist, Medical Director & Owner
Barcelona IVF
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I think that there are mostly pros when using PGT-A, with perhaps the only drawback being that this technique is quite new. As a result, we are not completely sure about the long-term effects of the biopsies on babies born after undergoing PGT-A. That’s why we usually don’t recommend PGT-A in all cycles, only in those where there’s a medical indication for it. However, the benefits of the information we obtain outweigh any potential future risks associated with the technique.

Answer from: Dimitra Christopikou, Clinical Laboratory Geneticist

Geneticist, Head of the PGT lab
Embryogenesis IVF Unit Athens
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In my personal opinion, the advantage is you can discriminate and pick through, the screening process, the embryo that will give you a live birth because the most important fact is that when you go through the IVF procedure the pregnancy rates matter but what matters most is the live birth. When you are a patient what you are looking for after IVF is a healthy baby, a live birth and a healthy baby at home. In my opinion, this is the advantage of the whole process. However if you have a few or bad looking embryos that don’t develop well there is no reason to undertake this type of process. If you don’t have any indications, if you are not older than thirty eight or forty years, have recurrent miscarriages, or repeated IVF failures or if you are really young I don’t think this type of procedure will help you. The disadvantage of this procedure is that it will not increase the chance of having a pregnancy. Even if you don’t do it you will have a pregnancy but the benefit is it will increase your chance of delivering a healthy baby without miscarrying it.

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Who should consider genetic testing?

Genetic tests identify changes in your genes, chromosomes, or proteins. The results of such tests can confirm or rule out a suspected genetic disease or help pinpoint your chances of developing a disease or passing it to your future children. What other factors might be essential to consider genetic testing?

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