Genetic Testing

While in vitro fertilization has been available for over two decades, more recently it has become possible to test the resulting embryos for genetic disorders when the embryos are between eight and sixteen cells in size. In this procedure, one to two cells are removed, and the section of DNA containing the gene in question is replicated and tested. Only those embryos identified to be free of risk (based on the DNA results) for developing the genetic disorder are implanted in the uterus. This technique is not widely available, however, and it is both expensive and time consuming. Thus, it is used only infrequently.