In the news

A new National Service for pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) in Scotland, jointly funded by the Scottish NHS boards and based at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, is to be launched on 1 April 2005. PGD is a procedure whereby embryos conceived by in vitro fertilisation (IVF) are examined to determine their sex and to identify if they are affected by a serious genetic disorder (such as Huntington’s Disease or Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy), with a view to selection and subsequent implantation of disease-free embryos. Currently, Scottish couples in need of PGD for genetic disorders have to travel for London for treatment, but it is hoped that the new service will be able to offer some forms of treatment from June this year. At present the Glasgow centre is only licensed for some chromosomal tests, so until additional test licences are granted couple requiring molecular genetic tests may still have to travel to London.

The new PGD service is a collaborative venture between the Assisted Conception Services at Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the West of Scotland Regional Genetics Service based in the Duncan Guthrie Institute at Yorkhill Hospital. Scottish Health Minister Andy Kerr commented: "I am delighted that this service will be introduced as a National Service and will benefit patients who live throughout the whole of Scotland” (see press release). The Scottish Executive anticipates that around 15 couples a year will use the service initially, with this number expected to increase.