World In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) Day celebrates the birth of the world’s first IVF child, Louise Joy Brown who was born on July 25, 1978. Also, known as World Embryologist Day, this day celebrates embryologists who work in reproductive medicine.

IVF or in-vitro fertilisation is a procedure where the female egg is fertilised using the male sperm in a laboratory. This procedure is usually performed to help people conceive. The gametes used for IVF could belong to the respective couple or they might as well use someone else’s gametes for the process of fertilisation. Someone else’s gametes are used when there are high chance that certain genetic diseases might be passed on to children from their parents.

Even though IVF is common these days, there are several misconceptions about the procedure. While people might think this to be an artificial process of childbirth, however, that is not true. It is only an assisted reproductive process and not an artificial process.

IVF can also help to reduce the risks of genetic diseases. Dr Shweta Mendiratta, Senior Consultant, Obs & Gynae at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad spoke to Times Now wherein she shared how the procedure can reduce the risk of passing on genetic disorders to children.

“In vitro fertilization (IVF) and genetic screening have revolutionized the field of reproductive medicine, offering hope to countless couples struggling with infertility and concerns about inherited diseases. By combining these advanced technologies, it is possible to significantly reduce the risk of passing on genetic disorders to future generations, ensuring healthier outcomes for families,” said Dr Mendiratta.

IVF is a process where eggs are fertilized by sperm outside the body, in a laboratory setting. This allows for the creation of embryos, which can then be implanted into the uterus to achieve pregnancy. IVF has been a beacon of hope for many couples facing infertility, providing them with the opportunity to conceive and have children of their own.

Genetic screening, when integrated with IVF, takes this process a step further. Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) is a technique used to analyze embryos for specific genetic abnormalities before they are implanted. There are different types of PGT, including PGT-A (for aneuploidy), PGT-M (for monogenic/single-gene disorders), and PGT-SR (for structural rearrangements). By screening embryos for genetic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs disease, or sickle cell anaemia, couples can significantly reduce the risk of passing these conditions on to their children.

Dr Mendiratta also shares how combining IVF and genetic screening can have several health benefits.

She said, “First, it provides peace of mind to parents who have a family history of genetic disorders. Knowing that their embryos have been screened for these conditions can alleviate concerns about their child's health.

“Second, it improves the chances of a successful pregnancy. By selecting the healthiest embryos for implantation, the likelihood of a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby is increased.”

Dr Mendiratta says that genetic screening can also identify embryos with chromosomal abnormalities, which can lead to miscarriages or developmental issues. “By selecting embryos with the correct number of chromosomes, the risk of these complications is reduced, leading to better pregnancy outcomes.”