Reynolds, Kelsey Christine. Patient’s perceptions and motivation related to preimplantation genetic testing for polygenic conditions. Retrieved from https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/t3-n5bh-ka97
DescriptionFor years couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) have been able to access preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) for aneuploidy, chromosomal rearrangements, and monogenic conditions. Screening embryos for polygenic conditions such as diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular risk has not been available until more recent years. PGT for polygenetic conditions (PGT-P) has been made possible with advancements in technology and increasing available data from genome wide association studies (GWAS). As is common with new technology, there has been push back from some calling its use controversial, however many patients have opted into this technology with hopes that it would provide them useful information when selecting an embryo to transfer and allow them to transfer the healthiest embryo possible. Our research investigates these patients’ motivations to use PGT-P and the decision-making factors that they considered during this process. Our study found that the PGT-P result was a valuable tool for our patients as it was ranked highly when selecting an embryo to transfer. Additionally, patients had minimal feelings of decision regret upon reflecting on their decision to opt into PGT-P. This provides the first source of data directly from patients that have used the technology and is exciting insight into the patient experience with PGT-P.