We have previously blogged about our ability to screen embryos before they implant for couples when one or both of them carry a genetic abnormality which could be transmitted to an offspring and potentially result in severe medical implications for the child at birth or in later life. This procedure itself is referred to as Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis or   "PGD." The actual test performed on the embryo has undergone many improvements, with the most recent and most accurate being referred to as "Karyomapping."

A recent headline in the London Telegraph reads "First baby born from IVF technique which eliminates inherited disease: a pioneering IVF technique allows babies at risk from inherited illnesses to be born free of disease".

The article describes the successful use of karyomapping for a couple to eliminate a disease that the mother was carrying. Well, I am pleased to tell you that, at Olive, we have been using this technique to screen embryos for genetically transmitted diseases for several months and have already had a number of pregnancies using this technology.

The Olive Fertility Centre has been a leader in PGD as well as another procedure, known as CCS. With CCS we can screen an embryo for the amount of chromosomal material that it contains. If it contains too much or too little chromosomal material, it will either not implant, implant and result in miscarriage, or implant, continue to delivery, and result in the birth of an infant with such conditions as Down Syndrome (an extra chromosome #21), or Turner Syndrome (where 1 of the 2 sex chromosomes is missing).

CCS has resulted in a reduction in the risk of miscarriage, down to only 5% from risks that were as high as 35-40% in women 40-42 years old. Eversince Olive opened in our new location 21 months ago, we have performed over 200 cases of PGD and CCS -- they'll soon be available on our website.

Having worked in the field of Reproductive Medicine for the past 45 years, I am thrilled and honoured to be associated with a group of physicians such as those at the Olive Fertility Centre. We have always strived to be at the forefront in new technology in order to bring the best available treatments and outcomes to our patients.Image of a Hatching Blastocyst