With the dramatic advances in genetic testing of embryos, more questions arise about mosaic embryos — embryos with both normal and abnormal genes.

The infertility world is wrestling with whether or not mosaic embryos should be transferred in an IVF cycle. This article from CBSNews offers some interesting insight into the perspectives of both science and the patients involved.

According to one study, mosaic embryos create a baby roughly one-third of the time. Out of 78 transferred mosaic embryos, the study found 24 healthy babies were born. Out of 78 transferred mosaic embryos, the study found 24 healthy babies were born.

But some doctors like Mandy Katz-Jaffe, scientific director at the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, caution against implanting mosaic embryos. They point to a lack of long-term studies of babies born from them.

“We really don’t know the answer to the full question of what is the probability that a mosaic embryo will result in either an affected baby or a healthy baby.” Katz-Jaffe said…

“A committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine found earlier this year that they didn’t have enough information to form an opinion on what percentage of normal cells is needed to be recommended for use.”

Check out the video from the CBSNews story:

Read the full story here.

For more information on mosaic embryos, check out this Creating a Family radio interview.

photo credit: ZEISS Microscopy