Pre-implantation Genetic Testing 2025 – Procedure, Costs and Regulation in the United Kingdom

Author photo
written by Zappelphilipp Marx•29 June 2025
Blastocyst under the microscope during cell biopsy

Pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) enables embryos created through in vitro fertilisation to be screened for genetic conditions before transfer to the uterus. For couples at high risk of severe inherited disease or recurrent miscarriage, the technology can markedly improve the chances of a healthy birth. In the United Kingdom, PGT is legal nationwide and tightly overseen by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), ensuring rigorous laboratory standards and transparent patient information.

Quick Glossary

  • PGT / PGD – genetic analysis of individual embryo cells prior to transfer
  • PGT-M – screens for single-gene disorders such as cystic fibrosis
  • PGT-A – screens for numerical chromosome errors (aneuploidy)
  • niPGT-A – non-invasive form that analyses free DNA in the culture medium

Who Should Consider PGT?

  • Documented pathogenic mutation with at least a 25 percent inheritance risk
  • Significant chromosomal rearrangement, e.g. translocation
  • Two or more unexplained miscarriages despite treatment
  • Maternal age over 37 with a wish to lower miscarriage risk using PGT-A

Procedure in Six Steps

  1. Ovarian stimulation – 8–12 days of hormone injections
  2. Egg collection – transvaginal, usually under conscious sedation
  3. In vitro fertilisation (IVF or ICSI)
  4. Embryo culture & biopsy – day 5; five to ten cells removed For niPGT-A, free DNA is analysed instead of a biopsy
  5. Genetic testing with next-generation sequencing; results within 24-48 hours
  6. Transfer or cryopreservation of chromosomally normal embryos

Technology Trends in 2025

  • niPGT-A – comparable accuracy without biopsy-related stress
  • AI with time-lapse imaging – algorithms score embryo development patterns alongside DNA data
  • eSET 2.0 – elective single-embryo transfer plus PGT-A cuts twin risk while maintaining success rates

Regulatory Framework in the UK

  • The HFEA licenses every IVF clinic and genetic testing laboratory
  • PGT is permitted for serious inherited disorders and for aneuploidy screening (PGT-A) after medical counselling
  • Non-medical sex selection is prohibited
  • PGT add-ons must be clearly labelled with efficacy grades on the HFEA traffic-light system

Full guidance, including the latest “Red-Amber-Green” ratings, is available on the HFEA website.

Typical Costs in the UK 2025

  • Base IVF cycle – £5 000 – 7 000 (private clinic)
  • Fertility medication – £1 500 – 2 500
  • PGT-M or PGT-A panel – £3 000 – 4 500 per batch of embryos
  • Freezing & storage – about £350 per year
  • Optional add-ons
    • niPGT-A upgrade – £800 – 1 200
    • Time-lapse embryo monitoring – £400 – 700

NHS funding for IVF and PGT varies by Integrated Care Board; patients should confirm eligibility and referral criteria with their local NHS fertility service before starting treatment.

Success Rates and Risks

According to the latest HFEA statistics (HFEA Trends & Figures 2023), the overall live-birth rate per embryo transfer in the UK is about 25 percent; for women under 35 it rises to roughly 38 percent. A systematic review (PGT-A Review 2023) suggests that aneuploidy screening can reduce miscarriage by around 25 percent in women aged 38 and over.

  • False positives – mosaic embryos may be misclassified in up to 5 percent of cases
  • Biopsy risk – modern trophectoderm biopsy has minimal impact when performed by experienced staff
  • Hormonal side-effects – new stimulation protocols keep ovarian hyperstimulation below 1 percent
  • Emotional strain – waiting for genetic results can be stressful; counselling is recommended

Practical Tips for UK Patients

  1. Request detailed quotes – packages differ widely between clinics
  2. Check NHS funding early – eligibility rules vary regionally
  3. Use an HFEA-licensed genetic counsellor – confirms whether PGT is truly necessary
  4. Plan for multiple cycles – two or more attempts are common
  5. Seek emotional support – patient groups and fertility counsellors can help manage stress

International Comparison 2025

United States

  • No federal ban; PGT-A widely offered as a standard add-on
  • Additional cost: US$4 000 – 6 000

Germany

  • PGT allowed only after strict ethics review for high genetic risk
  • Total cost: €9 000 – 12 000 per cycle

Switzerland

  • Legal since 2017; PGT-A included
  • Costs: 2 000 – 5 000 CHF in addition to IVF

Canada

  • No national ban; provincial funding limited
  • PGT-A add-on: C$4 000 – 6 000

Tunisia

  • Emerging destination for cost-sensitive patients
  • PGT-A packages from about €1 600; accreditation standards vary

Conclusion

Pre-implantation genetic testing offers UK couples facing genetic risk a realistic path to a healthy child. With 2025 bringing ever more precise sequencing and embryo-assessment tools, success rates continue to improve. Nonetheless, the journey remains medically, financially and emotionally demanding. Clear costs, robust counselling and well-managed expectations are essential to making informed choices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) is a laboratory procedure that analyses the DNA of embryos created via in vitro fertilisation (IVF) before transfer to the womb. It aims to identify genetic disorders or chromosomal abnormalities early and improve the chance of a healthy pregnancy.

PGT-A (for aneuploidy) screens embryos for abnormal chromosome numbers, while PGT-M (for monogenic disorders) looks for specific single-gene mutations, such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell disease.

PGT is recommended for couples with a known genetic mutation (≥ 25 % inheritance risk), those with recurrent miscarriage, individuals with significant chromosomal rearrangements (e.g. balanced translocations), and women over 37 wishing to reduce miscarriage risk.

A PGT-IVF cycle involves ovarian stimulation (8–12 days of hormones), egg retrieval, fertilisation via IVF or ICSI, embryo culture to day 5 (blastocyst), embryo biopsy or non-invasive sampling, genetic analysis (NGS), and transfer or cryopreservation of genetically normal embryos.

Clinical registries report live-birth rates of 20–30 % per transfer overall and up to 40 % in women under 35. PGT-A has been shown to reduce miscarriage risk by around 25 % in women aged over 38.

Risks include false-positive results in mosaic embryos (up to 5 %), a minimal impact on implantation rates from biopsy (< 1 %), potential ovarian hyperstimulation side-effects, and emotional stress from the waiting period.

Fixed fees for ethics approval and laboratory analysis range from £1,200–£3,200. Total cycle costs—including medication, egg retrieval, and storage—can exceed £8,000 per cycle.

NHS funding for PGT varies by region. Some Clinical Commissioning Groups will fund IVF with PGT for specific genetic indications under NICE guidelines, while others do not. Always check local NHS policy and eligibility criteria.

Non-invasive PGT-A (niPGT-A) analyses cell-free embryonic DNA in the culture medium rather than performing a biopsy. It removes biopsy risk and shows promising accuracy when validated in clinical studies.

Time-lapse imaging continuously records embryo development, providing dynamic morphological data. Elective single embryo transfer (eSET) combined with PGT maximises success rates while minimising the risk of multiple pregnancies (< 2 %).

PGT in the UK is regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (as amended). All clinics must be licensed by the HFEA and adhere to its Code of Practice.

Ethical considerations include embryo selection, potential “designer baby” concerns, and respect for people living with disabilities. Thorough ethics counselling and informed consent are essential.

Genetic counselling determines whether PGT is clinically indicated, explains risks, alternatives, and individual success prospects, and helps couples make informed decisions.

Look for HFEA approval, published success rates, transparent pricing, and comprehensive support services—including medical, genetic, and psychological care.

Alternatives include chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis, which diagnose genetic conditions after pregnancy is established but carry their own procedural risks.