Preimplanation genetic diagnosis (or genetic screening) has become a standard service in IVF clinics around the world. In Europe, the number of cycles soared from 116 in 1998 to 3900 in 2007. PGD (or PGS) guarantees that a baby will not have a particular disease or will be of the right sex. But its rapid take-up by the clinics is due to the fact that it is being sold as a surer way to pregnancy for older would-be mothers or as a solution for repeated miscarriages.

Is this true?

The latest word from PGD experts in the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology is that it isn’t. Current research, based on 11 randomised controlled trials, suggests that “there is no evidence that routine PGS is beneficial for patients with [advanced maternal age]”. The situation is similar for repeated miscarriages.  

The lesson? A position statement from the ESHRE PGD Consortium steering committee published in the journal Human Reproduction states: “The widespread use of PGS without evidence of its ability to improve delivery rates has been a problem in the field of IVF. We must learn from this experience and ensure that techniques are brought into our treatment programmes only when there is scientific data to support their use.” ~ Human Reproduction, April