Ep 275: Making a Difference with Genetic Testing: The PKD-Free Alliance and PGT-M

In this episode, hosts Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center, Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center, and Dr. Carrie Bedient from the Fertility Center of Las Vegas speak with Richard Kellner, founder of the Polycystic Kidney Disease-Free Alliance, and Natasha Rogina, the organization’s chief spokesperson. Together, they discuss polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and how pre-implantation genetic testing-monogenic (PGT-M) can help families prevent passing this genetic condition to their children. Natasha, who has PKD herself, shares her personal decision to pursue IVF with PGT-M to ensure her children would not inherit the disease. PKD is a progressive condition that typically leads to kidney failure by midlife, often requiring dialysis or a transplant. Because many insurers do not cover genetic testing, the PKD-Free Alliance offers grants to help families access PGT-M to prevent passing the trait to their children. The PKD-Free Alliance’s goal is to raise awareness and let couples know this option exists. This insightful conversation explores genetic inheritance, reproductive choices, and the future of PKD prevention, offering hope to families facing this challenging condition.