The article discusses the growing interest and use of polygenic risk scores (PRS) to screen embryos during in vitro fertilization (IVF). PRS analyze the number of risk-increasing and risk-decreasing genetic variants in an embryo biopsy to estimate the chance of developing certain conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
While nearly three-quarters of US adults support using PRS for embryo screening, multiple studies have found the technology has limited clinical utility for preimplanted embryos. Researchers argue the predictive power of PRS is currently "worthless" and there is insufficient evidence to support its clinical use for embryo selection.
Concerns have been raised that parents may overlook healthy, viable embryos due to minimal predicted risks from PRS. Professional medical organizations, like the American College of Medical Genetics, recommend against offering PRS testing for embryo selection at this time.
Companies offering PRS services claim the technology can provide valuable insights to help patients select healthier embryos. However, experts argue these companies should clearly communicate the limitations and inaccuracies of the results. Thorough genetic counseling before and after PRS testing is also recommended to help patients make informed decisions.
Overall, PRS remains a niche service in the IVF field, as many patients are more focused on overcoming infertility than genetic predictions. The article highlights the need for further technological improvements and a broader societal debate before widespread adoption of this emerging reproductive technology.
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by Lara um www.medscape.com 07-19-2024
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/genetic-testing-ivf-embryo-selection-deemed-unreliable-2024a1000db7Tiefere Fragen