Screening the Single Euploid Embryo ─ Molecular Genetics in Reproductive Medicine

?Intended for readers with a background in fertility medicine as well as beginners who are less familiar with IVF, this comprehensive volume presents a current picture of preimplantation genetic testing in the context of the advanced reproductive technologies, as specifically applied to enable single embryo transfer with IVF, discussing the full range of embryo testing to determine chromosomal competency during in vitro culture. An international cast of contributors explains each step of treatment, from ovulation induction to embryo transfer, with a view to place only one euploid embryo in utero. The book also includes chapters fully detailing the molecular techniques used for embryo evaluation, focusing on the strengths and limitations of each. Expert commentary is also provided on a wide range of ethical and regulatory issues associated with in vitro human embryo testing, with special emphasis on the status of the non-transferred embryo. Because single embryo transfer lowers the multiple birth and pre-term delivery rate, the traditionally high twin & triplet rates with IVF is corrected. The chapter on economic modeling persuasively depicts the inefficiency of conventional IVF, where no embryo genetic testing is done and multiple embryos are selected for transfer based on morphology only. Given the current climate of interest in healthcare reform and explorations of new ways to reduce national health expenditure, this annotated and fully illustrated volume has special relevance among economists, bioethicists and legislators alike.

Eric Scott Sills received his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt and holds a PhD (molecular biology) from London’s University of Westminster. Dr. Sills was awarded the MD degree from University of Tennessee in 1992. After a gynecology residency at NYU Downtown Hospital, he completed his sub-specialty training in reproductive endocrinology at Cornell University. Having authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Sills served as editor-in-chief for theJournal of Experimental & Clinical Assisted Reproduction from 2004–2014. He is board-certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American College of Surgeons, Royal College of Physicians (Ireland), and Society of Biology (UK). At present, Dr. Sills is Medical Director at the Center for Advanced Genetics, an in vitro fertilization program based in Carlsbad, California. He is registered and/or licensed for medicine in California, New York and the United Kingdom.