An analysis of the demand for and cost of preimplantation genetic diagnosis in the United Kingdom

Research in the field of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) has concen trated on increasing the number of diseases diagnosed, different strategies for single cell analysis and improving efficiency and reliability. Of equa l importance are clinical issues such as the demand:for and cost of PGD. Th is study assesses patient awareness of PGD and its potential benefits; addi tionally the awareness, attitudes and referral patterns of Assisted Concept ion Units, Regional Genetics Centres and Health-Authorities (funding bodies ) have been analysed to establish the demand for PGD within the United King dom. The licensed units are able to perform 128 cycles of PGD annually, how ever 256 cases were referred within the last year. II is clear that the cur rently licensed units operating at their present capacity are unable to mee t the demand for PGD in the U.K. Concerns raised by this study include the unequal geographical distribution of PGD services and the lack of a uniform funding policy by Health Authorities. The investment in personnel and tech nology to establish a PGD service is considered and a costing provided. We estimate an initial investment in the region of pound 139 000 with annual r unning costs of pound 55 000. This information should contribute towards an appropriate allocation of resources at a national level in the U.K. Copyri ght (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.