Doctors at Jindal IVF, Chandigarh, combined in vitro fertilisation (IVF) technique with Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) -- a breakthrough procedure, reportedly used for the second time in India -- resulting in a healthy newborn on April 4, and hope for thalassemia major patients.

“IVF PGT is absolutely beneficial for thalassemia and all single gene disorders where the mutation involved is known and probably the only method available which can prevent passing on the affecting mutation to future family generations. It gives us a chance to select a non-affected embryo thus preventing transmission,” Dr Sheetal Jindal, Senior consultant and medical director, at Jindal IVF, Chandigarh, said, ahead of thalassemia day on May 8