Family Planning

Jeff Carroll speaks to the CBC about Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis
HD researcher Jeff Carroll and his wife Megan were the first couple in British Columbia to undergo PGD so their kids won’t inherit HD.  He speaks to Anna Maria Tremonti about the treatment and the issues.

HD Free with PGD
Planning an HD-free family with IVF/PGD  Yes, you can stop Huntington’s Disease in the future generations of your family!  With the help of skilled medical professionals, YOU have the ability to prevent your children from inheriting HD.

Preimplantation genetic testing for Huntington disease and certain other dominantly inherited disorders. (From Clinical Genetics, February 1996.)
For patients who are at high risk (typically 50%) of carrying a gene for Huntington disease, PGT offers a way in which they can participate in antenatal genetic testing without incurring the emotional, social and financial burdens that might result from the presymptomatic disclosure of their own carrier status. Such patients could be offered the option of having IVF with preimplantation biopsy and testing of their embryos without ever being informed of the specific test results.

Genesis Genetics Institute (USA)
Genesis Genetics Institute is the leading global provider of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) – providing expert laboratory services for many of the most respected in vitro fertilization (IVF) centers across the country and throughout the world. Families affected by essentially any inherited disease can help reduce the risk their children will suffer the inherited genetic disease through the use of PGD.  The scientists at Genesis Genetics Institute pioneered PGD almost twenty years ago and use it today to fulfill our mission: to build healthy families.

Regional Fertility Program
Calgary-based Regional Fertility Program has among the highest IVF success rates in Canada. This success is attributable to the meticulous attention given to all details of the IVF process thus maximizing pregnancy rates.