Hyderabad – July 24 is observed as World IVF day globally following the first IVF baby’s birth. Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) Bill 2020 was introduced and passed recently in India by the Central Cabinet to be presented in the Parliament of India.
The ART bill 2020 was introduced to regulate the mushrooming growth of IVF centers mushrooming across the country to protect and safeguard the reproductive rights of women. India has one of the highest growth rates of IVF centers and procedures giving hope to millions of childless couples from across the globe.
Growth of the Assisted Pregnancy Procedures have gained a great momentum in recent years due to difficulties in conception in couples or who required IVF Services. However, there is little uniformity in the quality of service and the standard operating protocols and procedures. This leads to variations in the quality of service.
To address this, ART bill is proposing the standardisation of protocols. One such change is the incorporation of Preimplantation Genetic Test for Aneuploidies (PGT-A which was earlier known as Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS) in the protocol and making it compulsory to screen embryos before implantation.
Dr Priya Kadam, associate director, Reproductive Genomics, MedGenome Labs explains, “PGT-A is a test that examines the chromosomal material of an IVF embryo before implantation to screen the aneuploidy. It involves removing one or more cells from an IVF embryo to test for numerical chromosomal abnormalities (aneuploidy). This screening method facilitates the selective implantation of embryos that have a normal number of chromosomes (euploid embryos).” That means Implantation of embryo which contains correct chromosomal/genetical order.
Dr E Venkatswamy, associate director-quality assurance, MedGenome Labs, says, “PGT-A can reduce the number of IVF cycles required to get pregnant.” He shares, “The average cost of an IVF cycle is about Rs 1 lakh and above. The cost per embryo of PGT-A is about 10,000 to 15,000, which is roughly about 10 to 15 per cent of the IVF cycle. With PGT-A the chances of a successful pregnancy are doubled, and the patient is saved the financial, physical, and emotional trouble of another IVF cycle.”
News Resource – newindianexpress.com, 23rd July, 20202
