Institute Is One Of Only Three Sites Nationally To Offer
Single Gene Embryo Testing

The Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Science (IRMS) at Saint Barnabas Medical Center is one of only three programs in the country—and the only site in the eastern United States --– to offer single gene embryo testing for a wide variety of genetic diseases. The test, which is performed on embryos prior to fertilization or implantation and has an 85 to 95 percent accuracy rate, is designed to prevent abnormal pregnancies and eliminate the agonizing dilemma regarding termination.

“Couples who know they are carriers for a particular condition have the option of testing the embryos before conception rather than waiting until after a pregnancy has occurred,” says Serena H. Chen, M.D., Division Director at the Institute. “We test the embryos for specific diseases and facilitate conception with embryos that appear to be disease-free. Many patients already have a child with a disease and they are concerned about having another affected child.”

By using single gene embryo testing through their world-renowned Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) program, IRMS offers hope of a normal pregnancy. PGD is performed after a couple has created embryos through in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Before implanting the embryos, the PGD team tests the embryos for the couple’s genetic mutation. By testing the first and second polar bodies of the embryos for the specific genetic disease, geneticists can determine whether the woman’s eggs carry the corresponding condition. Healthy embryos that appear to be genetically normal are implanted in the womb.

IRMS is now offering single gene testing for the following diseases:

The team may be able to test for diseases other than the ones on the list, but these would need to be assessed on a case by case basis.

Please call (973) 322-8286. IRMS is already one of the major centers for PGD in the world. The Director of the Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis Team, Santiago Munne, Ph.D., who performed the procedure more than 400 times last year, is one of the leading pioneers of PGD in the world. For the past few years the Institute has been successfully offering PGD to women who experience recurrent miscarriage and infertility.

“We hope that our service helps more and more couples as the public becomes educated about what is available,” says Dr. Chen.

THE INSTITUTE FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE AND SCIENCE
IRMS of Saint Barnabas is one of the nation’s leading fertility centers, providing patients with state-of-the-art clinical infertility treatment, supported by the latest scientific knowledge and laboratory techniques. The Institute’s success in treating both male and female infertility is evidenced by the IRMS’ pregnancy rates, which are among the highest in the world. PGD and single gene testing fees are in addition to the cost of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer, the latter two of which may be covered by individual insurance through the New Jersey Family Building Act.

For more information, please contact the Institute at (973) 322-8286 or visit
www.sbivf.com. Patients may ask IRMS physicians questions directly by posting on the message board at www.sbivf.com.