Developments in infertility therapy--diagnosis of genetic disease in embryos.

BACKGROUND

The general practitioner plays a vital role in assisting couples through the difficult and emotional field of assisted reproductive techniques including in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

OBJECTIVE

This article discusses the most recent developments in IVF so that GPs may better explain this ever changing field of medicine to their patients.

DISCUSSION

This article begins by explaining how sperm can be brought together with oocytes for fertilisation outside the body, and then moves on to selecting the most genetically appropriate embryos for implantation. From this comes the issue of examining the fertilised oocytes to detect abnormalities, and the options available to couples with ethical concerns. The promise of regenerative medicine through the use of sperm cells is also discussed.