Woman's bid could expand genetic testing of embryos in Japan for inherited cancer risk
OSAKA -- A woman from Osaka Prefecture with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC) plans to apply for approval to use preimplantation ge
A woman from Osaka Prefecture, who carries hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC), is considering applying to expand preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-M) access in Japan. PGT-M involves examining embryos to prevent the transmission of severe inherited diseases to offspring. The 36-year-old, who was diagnosed with HBOC and developed breast cancer in 2022, hopes that approval would allow her to have additional children without the risk of passing on the cancer risk.
The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology previously restricted PGT-M to severe inherited diseases causing symptoms before adulthood or resulting in death. However, the society partially relaxed its review criteria in 2022, expanding eligibility to diseases that develop in adulthood, albeit not explicitly mentioning HBOC. Since broadening eligibility, the society has received 148 applications and approved 133. The woman's application is expected as early as this fall.
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