Genetics

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If you’re going through IVF, you may be offered a test to look at your embryos’ chromosomes.Pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (chromosome abnormalities), known as PGT-A, is an “add on” used to help choose embryos with the right number of chromosomes. It’s promoted by IVF clinics as a way to increase the chance of success, especially for women over 35.But the evidence shows that in most cases, PGT-A doesn’t improve the chance of a baby.What is aneuploidy? Human cells usually contain 46 chromosomes. Aneuploidy is a term that describes a chromosome number that is different from 46 – either too many or too few chromosomes.In human embryos, most aneuploidies are lethal, resulting in miscarriage, or do not result in pregnancy at all.The chance of aneuploidy increases with the age of the woman; by the time a woman reaches age 40, approximately 80% of her embryos are aneuploid.

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Despite potential savings of more than $1 billion annually, awareness of pharmacogenomic tests among Australian prescribers is low and national guidelines for their use have not been developed. This void contributes directly to the continued prescribing of ineffective medications, unacceptably high rates of adverse drug reactions and associated personal and economic costs.Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is the study of how the genome of an individual patient influences their response to a medication.

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New Brain Health Guidelines – What GPs Can Do

Tuesday 4th August, 7pm - 9pm AEST

Speaker

Scientia Prof Kaarin Anstey

Psychologist; Director, UNSW Ageing Futures Institute; ARC Laureate Fellow; Senior Principal Research Scientist, NeuRA

Scientia Prof Kaarin Anstey translates the WHO's updated 2026 dementia risk-reduction guidelines changes into concrete actions for opportunistic risk assessment and targeted advice in everyday general practice.