[The French experience with preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)].
BACKGROUND
Context Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) consists in the genetic analysis of one or two embryo cells obtained following embryo biopsy on the third day of culture. This diagnostic technique is reserved for couples with an identified risk of transmitting a serious and incurable disease and hence avoids the distress of having to revert to an abortion.


METHODS
Since the publication ten years ago of the first preimplantation genetic diagnosis by the team in the UK, the number of PGD centres has progressed, but slowly. This is due to the need to associate the efforts of an in vitro fertility laboratory and a genetic laboratory capable of providing a diagnosis only on one or two embryo cells. This technique, controlled by the 1994 bio-ethical laws, first appeared in France in the year 2000.


RESULTS
The indications, the techniques used and the first 12 births obtained in the first year of activity in the first two official centres in France are reported. In particular, no error in diagnosis following the PGD was noted with the systematic blood sample taken from the umbilical cord at birth.


CONCLUSIONS
This diagnosis is of interest for couples who present risk of genetic transmission. The advantages and inconveniences of this method must be weighed against the prenatal diagnosis.
Achour-Frydman
Nelly
N
Service d'histologie-embryologie-cytogénétique à orientation biologique et génétique de la reproduction, Hôpital Antoine Béclère (AP-HP), Clamart (92).
D001706:Biopsy; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000196:embryology; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D019836:Preimplantation Diagnosis; D012306:Risk