The relationship between IVF and genetic diseases
The IVF technology is a current fertility technology. After the fertilized eggs are cultivated to a certain stage of development through assisted reproductive technology, they are transplanted into the mother's uterus for pregnancy and development and delivery. The rise of IVF technology has brought hope to many infertile couples, but at the same time, this technology is also accompanied by the risk of some genetic diseases.
risk factor
First, compared with traditional natural pregnancy, IVF technology makes the risk of specific genetic diseases in the population become higher. Because fertilized eggs are cultivated in the laboratory, individual fertilized eggs may carry pathogenic genes of genetic diseases, and these potential disease genes may be transferred to IVF.
Secondly, the process of embryo selection in IVF technology may also lead to the risk of genetic diseases. In order to reduce the incidence of birth defects and genetic diseases, doctors often use embryonic genetic diagnosis technology to carry out gene testing on the fertilized eggs, and then select embryos that do not carry disease causing genes for transplantation. However, this process is not 100% accurate, and there may be limitations and errors in embryonic genetic diagnosis technology, leading to the wrong selection of some embryos carrying pathogenic genes.
Third, the number of conventional embryos implanted and the operation steps of IVF technology itself may also lead to the improvement of genetic diseases. In order to improve the success rate of IVF, doctors usually transfer multiple embryos to the mother, which increases the genetic risk of disease genes. In addition, the operation steps in IVF technology may cause damage to embryos and lead to genetic diseases.
Types of genetic diseases
The relationship between IVF technology and genetic diseases is not completely negative. Although IVF technology may cause some genetic diseases, it also screens out some possible risks of genetic diseases for couples. Common genetic diseases include cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, hemophilia, etc.
Cystic fibrosis is one of the most common heritable diseases, which mainly affects the respiratory system and pancreas. Through embryonic genetic diagnosis technology, couples can screen out embryos carrying cystic fibrosis pathogenic genes and avoid transplanting them into the mother's body.
Down syndrome is a disease caused by chromosome abnormality, and patients are often accompanied by mental retardation and physical abnormalities. Embryonic genetic diagnosis technology in IVF technology can screen embryos carrying Down syndrome, thus reducing the risk of disease.
Hemophilia is an autosomal recessive genetic disease. Patients often lack a blood clotting protein and are prone to severe bleeding symptoms. In vitro baby technology can screen the embryos carrying the hemophilia pathogenic gene through embryonic genetic diagnosis technology, and select the embryos not carrying the gene for implantation, so as to reduce the genetic risk of hemophilia.
Hospital practice and countermeasures
The practice of IVF technology can learn from the advanced experience of other countries. For example, London IVF Center in the UK is a very successful IVF hospital, which has reduced the incidence of genetic diseases with advanced technology and professional medical team.
Some practical countermeasures can also help reduce the risk of IVF and genetic diseases. First of all, strengthen the research of embryonic genetic diagnosis technology to improve its accuracy and reliability. Secondly, reduce the number of embryos transferred and select high-quality embryos to reduce the risk of genetic diseases. In addition, doctors should fully understand and inform couples of possible genetic disease risks so that couples can make informed decisions.
summary
Although IVF technology has brought good news to infertile couples, it is also accompanied by the risk of genetic diseases. The development of embryonic genetic diagnosis technology and the practical experience of hospitals can help reduce the relationship between IVF and genetic diseases. However, in order to reduce the risk of genetic diseases, couples should make informed decisions in many aspects and choose a professional hospital for treatment.
