Attitudes about genetic risk of couples undergoing in-vitro fertilization

Many couples undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) are at a higher riskof having a child with a genetic abnormality. In a sample of 55 consecutivecouples starting IVF, only 33% had no genetic risk factor. The most commongenetic risks were advanced maternal age and possible abnormalitiesassociated with severe male infertility. Despite education on these risks,71% of couples had no interest in receiving formal genetic counselling.Only 14% of couples at risk would consider using a gamete donor to avoidtransmitting a genetic disorder to a child. The triple test to screen forfetal abnormalities was acceptable to 82% of couples, but only 47% plannedto have amniocentesis or chorionic villi sampling. Couples weresignificantly more likely to opt for prenatal testing if they wouldconsider terminating a pregnancy should the fetus have a severe geneticabnormality (P < 0.01). Roman Catholic couples tended to have moreconservative attitudes about pregnancy termination. Socio-economic statusand whether the infertility factor was male or female were not predictorsof a couple's attitudes.