Choose embryo, easier
2006/09/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria
In vitro fertilization is used to prevent serious genetic diseases from passing from parents to children. But that is not enough; before settling into the mother's womb, a genetic analysis is performed on the embryos to choose one that does not carry the disease gene. When the embryo has eight cells, one is taken and the analysis is performed.
A single cell is used for genetic analysis, which is little DNA and needs to be amplified, although it is quite poor. To further amplify DNA, a single cell method called "genome amplification" has been adapted in a London hospital. And they have searched for analysis markers, that is, instead of looking for a certain mutation, they have identified chromosomes received from their mother and father. So, they say they can choose the right embryo easier and faster than usual with other methods.
