Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is legal in Italy only for preventing the transmission of serious hereditary diseases. Current regulations, following court challenges to Law 40, permit testing for monogenic disorders. However, non-medical sex selection and routine aneuploidy screening for family balancing remain prohibited in Italian clinics.
- Legal status: Authorized specifically for couples carrying documented, serious, and incurable heritable genetic diseases.
- Restricted uses: Prohibited for non-medical gender selection or screening without a known genetic risk.
- Clinical requirements: Mandatory genetic counseling and IVF are required to perform embryo testing protocols.
- Leading centers: Facilities like San Raffaele in Milan manage complex cases under strict IRCCS accreditation.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While Italy has legalized PGD for monogenic disorders, clinical data shows a narrow application compared to other EU hubs. For instance, Ospedale Santa Maria in Bari leads in intrauterine insemination (IUI) with 586 cycles. Yet, for advanced genetic screening like PGT-A, many patients still look toward Spain or the Czech Republic. If your case involves a rare condition, specialists like Dr. Pasquale Totaro can navigate domestic legal eligibility within 1,000+ yearly procedures.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that while PGD is available for cystic fibrosis or similar risks, the approval process remains rigorous. Many mention that for broader chromosomal screening to prevent miscarriage, traveling to Spanish or Greek clinics is a common alternative due to local restrictions.