Singapore Preimplantation Genetic Screening

03/08/2023

https://codeblue.galencentre.org/2023/07/31/is-ivf-genetic-testing-pgt-a-useful-for-older-egg-freezing-patients-dr-alexis-heng-boon-chin/

It may be highly cost-inefficient to utilise the PGT-A procedure for older egg freezing patients.

03/08/2023

Risky and unnecessary embryo genetic testing (PGT-A) in Malaysia is driven by culture

Currently in Malaysia, many fertility clinics strongly encourage and even push their patients to do highly expensive preimplantation genetic testing of their IVF embryos, technically referred to as PGT-A or PGS. It is widely claimed that this technique not only prevent birth defects in older women s...

03/08/2023

https://ova.galencentre.org/widespread-embryo-genetic-testing-pgt-a-in-malaysia-may-not-benefit-ivf-success-rates-dr-alexis-heng-boon-chin/

Patients should think twice before choosing to add on the PGT-A technique to their IVF cycle.

03/08/2023

https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/letters/2023/03/14/malaysia-needs-stricter-regulation-of-the-genetic-testing-of-embryos

Photo: EVGENIY SALOV/Dreamstime/Tribune News Service DOWN syndrome is the most common genetic abnormality in newborns, and it is caused by the presence of an additional chromosome 21. As World Down Syndrome day approaches on March 21, we are reminded of the sobering statistic that around 90% of Down...

12/07/2022

Why Assessing Genetic Normality Of IVF Embryos By AI Is A Better Option https://codeblue.galencentre.org/2022/07/08/why-assessing-genetic-normality-of-ivf-embryos-by-ai-is-a-better-option-dr-alexis-heng-boon-chin/

It might be preferable for older women undergoing IVF to screen their embryos for genetic abnormalities, before transferring them into their wombs.

19/11/2021

Cost-effectiveness of doing genetic testing of IVF embryos ( PGS / PGT-A ) to prevent Down syndrome and other genetic abnormalities in older mothers
https://thenewsavvy.com/life-changes/children/cost-effectiveness-of-doing-genetic-testing-of-ivf-embryos-pgs-pgt-a-to-prevent-down-syndrome-and-other-genetic-abnormalities-in-older-mothers/

Currently, there is an increasing trend of late motherhood in Singapore and many other countries throughout the world, as rising numbers of better-educated women choose to postpone marriage and childbearing in pursuit of career development. Nevertheless, there are heightened risks of conceiving a ba...

14/10/2021

IVF genetic testing to prevent birth defects in older women https://www.biospectrumasia.com/opinion/54/19177/ivf-genetic-testing-to-prevent-birth-defects-in-older-women.html?fbclid=IwAR13Ka9CszB9YHWFMZMav-W_EJJcTpoY-CrwTTDcmBy7upyNmpbsBRvXBKU

In conversation with Dr. Alexis Heng Boon Chin, Associate Professor, Peking University, China

14/10/2021

Genetic Testing Of IVF Embryos Overseas: What Singaporean Patients Should Know https://sg.theasianparent.com/genetic-testing-of-ivf-embryos-overseas-what-singaporeans-should-know-2

Many Singaporean patients who travel abroad for fertility treatment, often end up choosing to do genetic testing of their IVF embryos.

10/03/2021

High attrition rate of 72% for PGS / PGT-A pilot trial in Singapore - as announced by Ministry of Health (MOH) - Why?
https://singaporemotherhood.com/forum/threads/pgs-pgt-a-in-singapore-high-attrition-rate-of-72-reported-by-ministry-of-health-moh-why.263844/

The Ministry of Health in Singapore has reported that the pilot trial of PGS / PGT-A in Singapore suffers from a high attrition rate of 72%. The question is Why? Please see: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/rahayu-mahzam-on-pre-implantation-genetic-screening-14313308 MP Rahayu...

20/02/2021

Abnormal embryos diagnosed by PGS / PGT-A can give rise to normal healthy births. PGS maybe unnecessary and a waste of money!

Please take note of the controversy surrounding PGS with regards to Mosaic embryos, which have a mixture of normal (euploid) and abnormal (aneuploid) cells. These are often tested to be genetically abnormal by PGS, but in fact can give rise to normal healthy births.
As seen in the attached diagram of a blastocyst-stage human embryo, the ICM gives rise to the embryo, while the TE gives rise to the placenta and yolk sac. Testing a few cells from the TE only gives you a probability about what's going on in the ICM. An embryo with abnormal (aneuploid) TE but normal ICM most likely will still make a healthy baby.
Hence, by discarding such mosaic embryos that are tested abnormal during PGS, one would lower the cumulative chances of IVF success.

20/02/2021

PGS (PGT-A) is prone to misdiagnosis due to mosaic embryos. Discarding of mosaic embryos that are tested to be abnormal by PGS (PGT-A), but which could otherwise give rise to normal healthy births, lowers the chances of IVF success.

30/01/2021

New scientific evidence dispute the beneficial effects of PGS / PGT-A in IVF treatment

https://singaporemotherhood.com/forum/threads/new-scientific-evidence-dispute-the-beneficial-effects-of-pgs-pgt-a-in-ivf-treatment.259583/

Many fertility clinic websites claim that PGS can improve IVF success for older women and patients with multiple IVF failures or recurrent miscarriages. However, there has recently been increasing contradictory information from different sources, which dispute the beneficial claims of PGS in IVF...

30/01/2021

What Singaporean patients should know before doing PGS (embryo genetic testing) when going for IVF overseas

https://singaporemotherhood.com/forum/threads/what-singaporean-patients-should-know-before-doing-pgs-embryo-genetic-testing-when-going-for-ivf-overseas.258839/

There are plenty of arguments against doing preimplantation genetic screening - PGS / PGT-A, and it’s up to you to decide if they outweigh the pros… https://theduff.co.uk/pgs-testing-ivf/ Argument 1 against PGS: it’s expensive Paying an extra $5,000 (ish) per cycle – on top of the $10,000 or...

30/01/2021

Latest news on PGS / PGT-A (embryo genetic testing), which cast doubts on the usefulness and effectiveness of this technique for older women

https://singaporemotherhood.com/forum/threads/latest-news-on-pgs-pgt-a-embryo-genetic-testing-which-cast-doubts-on-the-usefulness-and-effectiveness-of-this-technique-for-older-women.261916/

Here are the latest news on Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS / PGT-A), which cast doubts on the usefulness and effectiveness of this technique for older women undergoing IVF / ICSI : Prominent Physicians and Scientists Criticize Continued Utilization of Preimplantation Genetic Testing for...

30/01/2021

Video podcasts that explain the Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS or PGT-A) procedure. What are the limitations and risks of PGS / PGT-A?

https://singaporemotherhood.com/forum/threads/video-podcasts-that-explain-the-preimplantation-genetic-screening-pgs-or-pgt-a-procedure-what-are-the-limitations-and-risks-of-pgs-pgt-a.259185/

Here are some excellent video podcasts that introduce and explain the Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS or PGT-A) procedure to patients:

30/01/2021

Controversial and unethical use of PGS / PGT-A for s*x selection abroad by Singaporean patients

https://singaporemotherhood.com/forum/threads/controversial-and-unethical-use-of-pgs-pgt-a-for-s*x-selection-abroad-by-singaporean-patients.257957/

Several years ago, the Straits Times reported on Singaporean couples traveling overseas for embryo s*x selection by preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) via IVF treatment, due to the procedure being banned here. It was reported that most Singaporean Chinese couples doing PGS preferred a son...