Understanding Biotechnology

What is Biotechnology

Overview of Biotechnology

History of Biotechnology

Why do we do biotechnology?

Biotechnology for the environment

Biotechnology for food and agriculture

Reproductive technologies include:

• collecting and storing sperm or eggs (below 0°C) for artificial insemination
• artificial insemination, in which collected sperm are placed in the reproductive system of a female
• in vitro fertilisation (IVF), in which collected sperm and eggs are placed in a test tube for fertilisation, and the developing egg is then placed in the reproductive system of a female
• storage of developing fertilised eggs (embryos) for later use if an initial implantation of fertilised eggs produced by the IVF procedure fails.

IVF

Research into human reproduction now means that many of these couples may achieve a successful pregnancy with the help of medical or surgical techniques, or lifestyle changes. IVF is one of the options open to these couples.

IVF stands for in vitro fertilisation, which literally means ‘fertilisation in glass’ - although IVF procedures today involve placing an egg and sperm together in a plastic dish so that fertilisation might occur. The fertilised egg then develops into an embryo that is implanted into the mother’s uterus between day 7 and day 14. Babies born as a result of IVF are often referred to as ‘test tube babies’.

The term IVF is now commonly used to refer to any form of assisted conception in general.

A number of new methods of assisted conception are now available, and different forms of assistance are suitable for different couples depending on the cause of their infertility.

The first test tube baby, Louise Brown, was born in Britain in 1978. Australia’s first IVF baby was born in Melbourne in 1980. Many thousands of children have since been born through IVF procedures. Australia has always been at the forefront of research into reproductive technologies. Twelve of the world’s first 15 successful IVF babies were born in Melbourne.

Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis

Couples using PGD first need to use IVF procedures to generate embryos. A single cell can then be removed from the very early embryo without damaging it. This cell can be tested to see if it carries the genetic defect that causes the condition. Only embryos that do not carry the defective gene are implanted in the mother.

While there has only been limited use of PGD so far, the potential applications of PGD are increasing rapidly, as researchers identify more of the genes associated with serious genetic conditions.

As with all IVF procedures, a successful pregnancy is not guaranteed. However, for many couples who have experienced a serious genetic condition or lost family members, PGD is more acceptable than using prenatal genetic testing on a growing baby, or not having children at all.

Genetic testing in any context raises many significant issues for our community, but particularly when embryos are involved. In general, PGD is usually only permitted for serious or life-threatening conditions, and if it improves the welfare and the interests of the child being born.

Some families have tested embryos using PGD to ensure they can provide a bone marrow transplant for a sick sibling. The bone marrow cells for the sick sibling are taken from the umbilical cord blood of the new baby. Using this process of tissue typing, these babies are sometimes called ‘saviour siblings’, as they can literally save their sick brother or sister’s life.

Regulations regarding this use of PGD testing vary from country to country. In Australia, some states have PGD regulations, and others do not.

Saviour sibling

In March 2004, the first 'saviour sibling' to be born in Australia was reported.

A couple from Tasmania used PGD with tissue typing to have a second child who would be free from a particular genetic condition (Hyper IgM syndrome). The child would also be a matched tissue donor for the couple's existing child, who is affected by the same condition.

As a result of the treatment, carried out at Sydney IVF, the woman started her pregnancy knowing that her baby will be free from Hyper IgM and a potential tissue donor for her existing son