woman and brought to term. If the embryos were allowed to develop, genetic modifications — which would be permanent and passed to future generations — might prevent disease. Modifications might also be used for other reasons — physical appearance, intellectual prowess, personality — though the necessary science remains hypothetical at this point. Developing such techniques would necessarily entail trial-and-error and risk-taking with human life. So let’s have that debate. What do you think, Wired Science readers? Should genetically modified embryos be used in research, but not reproduction? Both? Neither? Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) I am about to begin IVF Cycle #2. Due to a previous high risk pregancy, my RE has recommended PGD so that we only put one embryo back and have a better chance of it being a healthy/normal ebmryo. Has anyone done this? Your thoughts?!? 3 ladybugs For this purpose I am not sure how it would help you. I understand that you are looking at things that might cause a miscarriage but there is no way to tell with PGD if you will have someone that would implant. I will also be doing a single embryo transfer next time and the thought of doing PGD hasn't honestly crossed my mind. Though that could be because I know it isn't an exact science. Good luck with whatever you do though! thebabybaker I'm doing PGS/CGH because I've had 4 transfers with 9 seemingly perfect grade 1 embryos and nothing to show for it. I'm hoping the embryo testing will uncover why we haven't gotten (and stayed) pregnant yet. My RE says a normal embryo has a 60% chance of pregnancy so that's a plus but not a guarantee. Good luck with your decision! myreality The main reason that my RE is recommending it is to increase the chances that the one that is put back is "normal". Due to my age, putting back more that one is not optimal. I was just curious about the decision making process, especially since knowing the sex is part of PGD. I feel weird about knowing that from the start...especially with the obvious chance that it may not take. thebabybaker I'm not planning to find out the gender. You can ask them to omit that bit of info from the report. naybird222 I'm doing PGD for the first time. My RE is recommending it because after 8 embies transferred, none have implanted. So she said the next step would be to test the embryos. We normally transfer 4, but this time we will do 2. PGD is expensive but I am hoping and praying it's worth it!!!!!!! myreality thebabybaker - When you say omit do you just mean that they don't have to give you that result? I don't know why I am weirded out by it. On one side I don't want to pick the gender at all but then the other side is someone else is making the decision so maybe we should?!? naybird222 - I believe the price we were quoted is $1800 for the first 6 embies and the $250 for each additional?!? Something like that. It is a lot of money out of pocket but I agree with you. Anything to increase the chances of implanting a normal embryo is a great option. thebabybaker myreality -. picking gender for me personally is taking science one step too far, plus there aren't many surprises in life and i want this to be one of them! Adapted from http://www.fertilethoughts.com/forums F D PGD and IVF Costs - What is the cost for preimplantation genetic diagnosis and/or PGS (preimplantation genetic screening)? There are several variables involved in the cost of PGD 1. The cost of in vitro fertilization at the PGD clinic 2. The cost of IVF medications 3. Embryo biopsy procedure costs at the PGD clinic 4. Chromosomal and/or genetic analysis costs - the PGD testing Average preimplantation genetic testing costs in the US 1. IVF costs - in the US the average cost for IVF with ICSI is about $12,000 to $13,000 2. The average cost for in vitro fertilization medications is $3000 to $4000 3. Embryo biopsy charges are about $1500 to $2200 4. Aneuploidy testing (for chromosome normality) with PGD is $2200 to $5000 5. For single gene defects (such as cystic fibrosis), the cost is about the same as for aneuploidy screening, $2200 to $5000 Average PGD IVF Costs in USA Price at Our Clinic IVF-ICSI cost $12,000 $12,000 IVF medication costs About $3500 About $3500 Embryo biopsy cost $1800 $1800 PGD test cost $3500 $2200 Total $17,200 + meds $14,600 + meds · IVF with preimplantation genetic testing (with meds) usually costs $17,000 - $22,000 · This is depends on the cost of the in vitro fertilization and also on the amount of medications needed for IVF ovarian stimulation · Since in vitro fertilization pricing varies between IVF-PGD centers and because the dose of meds for IVF varies, the total cost for IVF and preimplantation genetic testing will vary · The big variables with PGD costs for a self-pay patient (no IVF insurance coverage) are the cost of in vitro fertilization and IVF medication costs IVF medications IVF medication costs are determined by how the ovaries respond to the drugs. · A young, thin woman with a good antral follicle count and good ovarian reserve would be on lower doses of stimulation medications (therefore, a lower cost) · A heavier woman with a high BMI, or with advanced age or reduced ovarian reserve needs higher doses - so medications could be as much as $6000 Insurance coverage for IVF and PGD Some couples have insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization, but it is unlikely that insurance would cover chromosomal or genetic testing. Adapted from http://www.advancedfertility.com/pgd-costs.htm Related Pages PGD - PGS overview PGS for chromosome screening Trophectoderm biopsy and video PGS with day 3 embryo biopsy PGD for genetic diseases IVF cost details Age and fertility Age & chromosome problems IVF and age IVF in women after age 40 Age and miscarriage Our IVF success rates Our donor egg success rates Our available egg donors G D Designer Babies Taylor Hubbard Ankeny High School Ankeny, Iowa taylor.hubbard@ankenyschools.org Intended Audience Check all that apply… ☐ 9 th grade ☐ general audience ☐ 10th grade ☐ advanced audience ☐ 11th grade ☐ 12th grade Check all that apply… ☐ general science ☐ biology ☐ earth science ☐ chemistry ☐ physics/phys