The technology of preimplantation genetic screening NGS (next-generation sequencing), which allows, among other things, relatively quickly and inexpensively detecting chromosomal abnormalities in embryos obtained as a result of IVF, has successfully passed the first test.
In the United States, the first test-tube baby that passed such testing at the embryonic stage was born. The results of clinical trials of the NGS method will be presented on July 8 in London at the conference of the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE).
A society where genetically tested people are the elite, and everyone else is "unworthy" is well shown in the movie "Gattaca" (1997)"
Connor Levy was born on May 18 in Philadelphia (USA). His parents, 36-year-old Marybeth Scheidts and 41-year-old David Levy, for a long time could not conceive a child naturally and three times unsuccessfully tried to do it by intrauterine insemination until they were included in an international clinical trial program. the NGS method, led by infertility specialist Dagan Wells of the University of Oxford (UK).
The reason why the couple was included in the program was the suspicion that their embryos, both obtained as a result of natural fertilization and as a result of the IVF procedure, have chromosomal abnormalities, which prevents them from being implanted into the uterus.
Following a standard IVF procedure at Main Line Fertility in Pennsylvania, 13 embryos were obtained. After five days of culture, several cells were isolated from each of them, which were sent to Oxford for genetic screening. Testing showed that although all the embryos looked perfectly normal, only three of them had the correct chromosome set.
Based on the screening results, one of the healthy embryos was successfully implanted into Sheidz's uterus and Connor was born nine months later. It is expected that in a few months another child will be born in the United States, who underwent a similar genetic screening using the NGS method.
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According to Wells, if the entire series of clinical trials is successful, NGS screening for chromosomal abnormalities could become part of the standard set of medical research required for IVF in the next five years. Its comparative cheapness and speed of obtaining results is ensured due to the fact that in this case the sequencing of the entire genome is not performed, but only the number of chromosomes is counted.
At the same time, the NGS method also allows for genome-wide sequencing, which makes it possible to assess the risk of developing neurodegenerative, cardiovascular and oncological diseases in an unborn child, as well as, in principle, to select embryos for many other criteria.
Commenting on fears that the introduction of the method into widespread practice could lead to a widespread fashion for "designer" children, Wells expressed the opinion that the likelihood of such a development of events is low: “IVF is too expensive and uncomfortable procedure with no guarantee for the appearance of a child in the end. I do not think that people will massively decide on this difficult path if they do not have serious reasons for this."