Fertility clinics to test embryos for genetic conditions

Screening of embryos for genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis (CF) is being made available in fertility clinics in Cork and Dublin for the first time — with a Dublin clinic offering screening for Down’s syndrome.

Cork Fertility Centre is focusing on genetic testing for CF initially, but has acknowledged it may incrementally broaden the scope of its tests on a case by case basis.

But Beacon Care Fertility has said it will immediately be offering pre-implantation, genetic diagnosis, not only for CF, but also for muscular dystrophy and other genetic conditions.