{"id":101709,"date":"2021-01-04T14:35:25","date_gmt":"2021-01-04T12:35:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/?p=101709"},"modified":"2023-11-27T10:48:06","modified_gmt":"2023-11-27T08:48:06","slug":"the-importance-of-compatibility-testing-cgt-for-couples","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ivi.uk\/blog\/the-importance-of-compatibility-testing-cgt-for-couples\/","title":{"rendered":"The importance of compatibility testing (CGT) for couples"},"content":{"rendered":"

When couples consider their compatibility, they may think about shared interests and common values. But when it comes to starting a family, it is time to look at a different type of compatibility.<\/strong><\/p>\n

One in every 25 children in the UK is affected by a genetic disorder. In many cases, this is not the result of an obvious risk factor, but an invisible and undetectable genetic defect, passed down unknowingly by the parents. This is caused by both parents carrying a defect within in the same gene. These healthy individuals have no way of predicting this outcome: in many cases, they have no idea they could be heading for a problem.<\/p>\n

Compatibility testing allows this scenario to be prevented by testing and assessing each partner for specific genetic defects. If no issues (known as mutations) are identified, then couples can go ahead with confidence knowing that their risk of having a baby affected by serious a health condition is extremely low.<\/p>\n

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Why choose to have a compatibility test?<\/strong><\/h1>\n

It has been estimated that around 4 \u2013 5% of couples share a genetic defect<\/a> for a recessive health condition. Recessive diseases are difficult to detect without medical assistance. As a couple, both partners can be healthy carriers and unable to predict such condition in their offspring. Being carriers means that both parents carry the same defective DNA in one of the two copies of their genetic makeup. While this has no impact on their life or their own health, the combination of their genes could lead to a 25% chance of their baby being born affected by the condition. In other words, due to the different genetic combinations of their genes, their child has a one in four chance of inheriting two copies of the faulty gene \u2013 one from each parent \u2013 and manifest such disease.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although these genetic diseases have no cure, they can be prevented with the use of preliminary compatibility genetic testing (CGT), which provides couples the possibility to assess their risk when it comes to facing this scenario.<\/p>\n

The vast majority of couples taking the test will be a good genetic match. Although nothing can be used as a guarantee of a perfectly healthy baby, it can certainly give couples the confidence of knowing that the odds are scientifically in their favour.<\/p>\n

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How does compatibility testing work?<\/strong><\/h1>\n

The test is performed on DNA extracted from a blood sample from each prospective parent. It takes about a month for the analysis to be completed. If the analysis detects that they do not share the same mutation or genetic defect, nothing needs to be done. If the results establish that they do share a genetic defect, this would mean their child risks being born with the genetic disease of which both parents are carriers. In this scenario, couples are equipped with the knowledge they need to make informed decision about their options:<\/p>\n