RE: What PGD is...JENNIFER

January 31, 2003

,

We also did PGD, but the embryos didn't take.

What PGD is...

Hi!

PreImplantation Genetic Diagnosis is like InVitro

Fertilization with an extra step where they screen the embryos in the

petri

dish first and then only implant the ones without the CF gene. Our next

baby with no CF is due in May. It is expensive and we are still

fighting

the insurance complany on covering it. Our insurance does not even

cover In

Vitro. That's why it is so expensive (about $15,000) but if your

insurance

does cover InVitro then your costs will be much lower. We agonized for

months over this issue and decided that it was the best thing to do for

us

as parents, for our existing child with CF and for the unborn child. I

did

not want just one child. I would like 2 or 3 and I would do anything to

acheive that AND have them healthy. People DO have more than one CF

child

and they manage, but we just didn't want to do that to all involved. I

have

nothing against people who have more kids knowing they carry the CF gene

-

they are stronger than I and must have deeper religious beliefs than me.

I feel our little girl kicking around inside of me know and I know we

made

the right decision. For everyone. I only regret we did not know and

could

not do this same thing for . I hate this disease. I do not want

to

lose her. I would tell anyone who wants to avoid the CF gene to do PGD.

It

is awesome that they can do such medical miracles.

Coghlan

mom to 4yowcf

#2 due in May 2003 wocf

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