Dear ACMG, Patients. Matter. Period.

Jessica Furseth wrote an excellent piece on Medium about PGT and IVF. 

"The main tool parents can use to avoid passing down monogenic conditions (those controlled by a single gene) is preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-M), a process that takes place alongside in vitro fertilization (IVF). In this process, embryos are screened for the genetic variant in question. Only the nonaffected embryos are chosen for implantation and, hopefully, a successful pregnancy."

I was compelled to "respond" about the ACMG portion of her piece. The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics is an organization that represents practitioners in the field of medical genetics. The ACMG is trying to block genetic counselors from ordering genetic testing (but allow all physicians, of any specialty and with no training in genetics, to do so). WHAT?

Here is the direct link to my response: https://medium.com/@BRCAresponder/jessica-20754ef7cf6b 

@jessicafurseth excellent piece @Medium about PGT and IVF. I was compelled to comment about @TheACMG portion. https://t.co/XZUIbofkD0

— Amy Byer Shainman (@BRCAresponder) March 2, 2021