IRVINE, Calif, September 4, 2003 – The GENESIS Network for Reproductive Health, an independent group of nationally noted fertility specialists, announced today its breakthrough fertility study entitled, “Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis as Both a Therapeutic and Diagnostic Tool in Assisted Reproductive Technology” has been published in Fertility and Sterility, a leading international medical journal.

According to Dr. Lawrence Werlin, the study’s principal investigator and the co-founder of GENESIS, the study gives women in high-risk categories, including women 38 years and older, answers never before made available regarding their chances for increasing pregnancy success through in-vitro fertilization.

The study analyzes Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD). PGD is a therapeutic and genetic testing tool that allows for the analysis and transfer of healthy embryos back to the uterus. The study concludes that PGD can facilitate a successful pregnancy and avoid in-vitro fertilization failures dues to chromosomal imbalances.

“PGD has expanded our ability to explore the issue of IVF failure for these seemingly healthy women,” Dr. Werlin said. “Through PGD we were able to assess the chromosomal makeup of embryos in infertile women 38 years or older. Our findings offer women who fit this profile a greater understanding of how to proceed through the IVF process.”

A total of 21 women ranging in age from 38 to 44 were evaluated. The data concluded that 70% of the embryos in this group of women were abnormal. Of these patients, 30% had no healthy embryos at all to transfer.

Dr. Werlin also said “the likelihood is that women of Advanced Maternal Age will experience a repetitive phenomenon and continue producing abnormal embryos or non-transferable embryos. This data gives couples concrete evidence about PGD’s role in the IVF process.”

According to Alan H. DeCherney, M.D., Editor-In-Chief of Fertility and Sterility®, “Fertility and Sterility provides reproductive health specialists with the most-up-to date news available in our industry. Publication of the GENESIS study led by Werlin will enable us to further educate this core audience and document issues revolving around PGD’s role and its ability to assist high-risk patients in achieving pregnancy success or in selecting alternative options to consider using such as donor eggs or embryos.”

Fertility and Sterility® is an international journal and the official journal of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Society of Reproductive Surgeons, Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, Society for Male Reproduction and Urology, Pacific Coast Reproductive Society, and the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society.

Articles are selected for publication based on stringent criteria and must feature original scientific data and content derived from clinical and laboratory research relevant to reproductive health.

Dr. Werlin is a leader in reproductive technology, research, education, and patient services and the founder and director of Coastal Fertility Medical Center in Irvine, California. He is a member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, Pacific Coast Reproductive Society, and the Society of Assisted Reproductive Technologies, an organization in which he held national office from 1991-2000. Werlin is currently leading GENESIS in a continuation study regarding the effects of PGD.

For more information on the study, visit www.coastalfertility.com.