Genetic Counseling in the Era of Genomics and Personalized Medicine

The Benefits of Precision Medicine and personalized medicine in the Field of ART 

Precision medicine and personalization are  revolutionizing the  field of ART. This approach offers numerous benefits, enabling us to treat the right patient, at the right time, with the right drug, at the right dose. As a result, it minimizes unwanted side effects and reduces unnecessary trials.

Moreover, precision medicine and personalized medicine also help to reduce treatment time and costs for patients. Patients are actively involved in their own treatment process, gaining a better understanding of their condition and participating in selecting more suitable treatment options. Additionally, the shifting from treatment to prevention, in other words, personalized medicine helps us prioritize prevention over cure.

The core of these methods lies in genetic testing. Due to advancements in technology, genetic testing has become increasingly integrated with precision medicine, making it an indispensable part of the field of assisted reproduction. Genetic testing plays a crucial role in all stages of the reproductive process, including testing related to parents, embryos, during embryo transfer, prenatal screening and diagnosis, as well as newborn screening and postnatal diagnosis.

In reproductive medicine, genetic testing is particularly conducted for three main purposes. These are identifying the causes of infertility, detecting genetic diseases that may be passed on to the child, and optimizing assisted reproductive technology (ART). Depending on the specific condition, patients may need to undergo testing at any stage of the reproductive process.

GENTIS applies the latest devices and technologies in gene sequencing to deliver valuable tests to our customers.

In Vietnam, GENTIS is a pioneer in the research and development of genetic tests for the personalization of infertility treatment. GENTIS boasts modern laboratories equipped with Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology, providing accurate results for our customers.

Currently, GENTIS offers a comprehensive ecosystem of genetic tests for screening, diagnosis, and personalized medicine in the field of assisted reproduction. This includes tests for parents, embryos, the embryo transfer environment, and maternal and fetal health.

Among the notable tests are PGT-A/SR, PGT-M, PGT-Max1, ASEM Test, Karyotype, Thalassemia, Thrombophilia, Fertiscan, Ultragen, AZF, Sperm DNA, Genratest, Antiphospholipid, NIPT-basic/Geneva, and newborn screening, ... In addition to providing genetic tests, GENTIS has established a Genetic Counseling Center to support clinicians and reproductive centers in accurately and effectively interpreting test results.

The Importance of Genetic Counseling in the Genomics Era

MSc. Nguyen Thi Huyen, M.D (R&D Specialist at GENTIS), stated: "In the Genomics era, genetic counseling is involved in all stages of the human reproductive process, from pre-pregnancy, pre-embryo transfer, prenatal, to postnatal stages. Specifically, genetic counseling helps assess the risk of genetic diseases and evaluate and determine genetic patterns for appropriate indications.

Additionally, genetic counseling aids in interpreting genetic results, assessing genetic risks for future generations, and evaluating screening in relatives. It also provides information on the benefits/limitations of genetic tests to clinicians, facilitating discussions and helping to determine more appropriate treatment options."

MSc. Nguyen Thi Huyen, M.D (GENTIS), presented at the Scientific Conference and the 2nd Congress for the 2024-2029 term.

Additionally, genetic counseling plays a crucial role in educating and supporting patients, helping them better understand their condition and make informed decisions. More importantly, it assists patients in accessing other necessary medical services when needed.

Despite its importance in the Genomics era, geneticists still face many challenges when advising patients. For instance, they must explain risks to patients who might then reconsider or lose the opportunity for embryo transfer, and they encounter limited consensus and guidelines on managing results, monitoring pregnancies after test results, and screening relatives. They also face challenges in optimizing costs and time for patients.

Therefore, it is essential to have a coordinated approach involving the expertise of clinical physicians, embryologists, laboratory technicians, and geneticists. Additionally, collaboration with obstetricians and gynecologists is necessary for optimal pregnancy management, and with pediatricians and geneticists for postnatal care.

Despite these challenges, the current achievements indicate that precision medicine and personalization are the future of the medical field, influencing genetic counseling and treatment by physicians. To stay abreast of these developments, GENTIS continuously invests in the latest gene sequencing systems for testing and assisted reproduction, aiming to research, develop, and apply genetic analysis technology in precision medicine.