A New Genetic Test Is Transforming Family Planning
A new genetic test is changing the way a generation of moms approach family planning. For Sarah Elizabeth Orlando, 33, this test was a game-changer.
Orlando was born with the gene for fragile X syndrome (FXS), a common cause of inherited intellectual disability. Her family history of special needs made her determined to take a different approach to starting a family.
"I knew I didn’t want that for myself or my children,"
she says, understanding the challenges of caring for someone with special needs. Orlando opted for in-vitro fertilization with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), which allows embryos to be tested for genetic disorders.
After one round of IVF, she had 10 embryos, with three not carrying the genetic mutation. This new genetic test is giving women like Orlando more control over their reproductive choices.
Author's summary: Genetic testing transforms family planning for a new generation of moms.