Assessment of pre‐implantation genetic testing for embryo aneuploidies: A SWOT analysis

Abstract

The recently re‐named pre‐implantation genetic testing for determining embryo aneuploidies (PGT‐A) is presently very popular although its acceptance by the scientific community is controversial. This approach still encounters drawbacks. This paper uses a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis to discuss salient points to be considered when examining the pre‐implantation genetic testing (PGT‐A) strategy to gather information from a range of perspectives. One of the strengths associated with the procedure is represented by an increase in implantation rate although data from the highest level of evidence do not support an increase in cumulative pregnancy rates. The current difficulty in the management of mosaicisms represents a weakness of PGT‐A. The application of the strategy represents an opportunity to favor the single embryo transfer while other advantages, such as reduction of time to pregnancy and emotional distress are controversial. Potential important threats, at present still undefined, are represented by the biopsy‐related damage to the blastocyst and the impact on neonatal and long‐term outcomes.