The West Australian Fertility Guide, 23 October 2024 published information relating to pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT). While the article related to IVF, the importance of pre-conception testing is not new.
This concept of pre-conception preparation and testing options are discussed and explained in detail in my book.
Knowing your DNA polymorphisms (these are epigenetic changes also called SNPs – pronounced snips) is extremely helpful especially when faced with any fertility issues. People often think of genes as regulating our lives but the reality is that genes are described as the gun and it is our lifestyle that pulls the trigger. In other words, it is the snips which determine how our genes behave.
I am often asked about a particular genetic variant and how this will affect a certain health outcome. In reality, only about 5% of genetic mutations actually lead to disease. Knowing which form part of your genetic makeup helps you understand how to take positive steps to avoid ever developing disease.
Understanding how environmental chemicals and toxins affect how your body, and this includes reproduction, works will help you to minimise any damage to egg and sperm. Starting with healthy egg and sperm is the foundation of having a healthy baby.
That was the author’s goal in writing the book. By explaining the multifactorial impacts on fertility, identifying how these affect reproduction and the health of your children, and providing options and positive steps you can take, she seeks to empower the reader to realize their dream of becoming parents.
