IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 22, 2004

WHAT:
On the heels of a new study published last week in the New England Journal of Medicine noting a nationwide reduction in the occurrence of multiple births in women undergoing In-vitro Fertilization (IVF), a grant for a new study by GENESIS Network for Reproductive Health has been announced. The study falls inline with the President's Council on Bioethics recommendations to limit the number of embryos transferred. Led by GENESIS Network, a group of leading independents fertility specialists, the study will soon be underway that is expected to advance the recent findings and increase pregnancy success rates by implanting the healthiest embryo(s).

The study, entitled "Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis as a Tool to Lower Multifetal Pregnancy Rates," is the world's first study established to investigate the role that Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) combined with in-vitro fertilization (IVF), will play in reducing the occurrence of multiple births (multifetal pregnancies) while increasing pregnancy success rates.

PGD is a therapeutic and genetic testing tool that aids in the IVF process by screening for abnormal chromosomes or genetic defects in embryos before implantation. It is speculated that PGD will aid in increasing pregnancy success by analyzing and implanting only the healthiest two or less embryos in the woman while serving to reduce the occurrence of multiple births.

WHY:
Recent news reports have shed light on the subject of multiple births. Dr. Werlin's upcoming study as well as his role as a leading researcher, makes him ideally suited to comment on:

-- Current research and findings as illustrated by the New England Journal of Medicine
-- How the study will complement guidelines put forward by the President's Council on Bioethics to limit the number of embryos transferred
-- The role that PGD will play in minimizing multiple birth rates while increasing pregnancy success rates
-- New advancements for the next stage in reproductive research and factors such as the possibility of an increase in insurance coverage for fertility treatments

"Recent findings have illustrated the advancements made in the last 25 years of IVF; PGD is one of the next milestones whose true potential is now being tapped into," Dr. Werlin said. "PGD is an important factor to analyze in the reduction of multiple births as it is designed to analyze through advanced technology which embryos are the healthiest and likely to lead to a successful pregnancy. In some cases, embryos analyzed without PGD have appeared healthy, only to show later that they had an abnormality."

WHO:
Dr. Lawrence Werlin is a leading researcher and co-founder of GENESIS Network for Reproductive Health. Last year, Dr. Werlin validated PGD as a therapeutic and genetic testing tool that allows for the transfer of healthy embryos back to the uterus. Dr. Werlin is the founder of Coastal Fertility Medical Center and a noted international authority on the uses and study of PGD.