He was born with a fatal chromosomal disorder. The genetic counselor told them it could've happened to anyone. In the future, couples like Lemke and Strickland may be able to avoid such tragedies before pregnancy. Researchers from University College London Medical School have found a way to examine all 23 pairs of chromosomes in test tube embryos. In fact, out of 12 embryos studied, only three had normal chromosomes.
Abnormal embryos have little chance of becoming a living baby.
What it means is that that embryo did not have the right chromosomal compliment to go ahead and implant and produce a healthy child. The finding may also help explain why some pregnancies end early in miscarriage, as well as why couples going through in-vitro fertilization, have only a 25 percent success rate. Some of these embryos with very abnormal chromosomes in fact looked perfectly healthy under the microscope so they would have been chosen by the embryologist for transfer to the mother. The chromosome test is still experimental, but eventually, it could be used to increase the in-vitro success rate. Reproductive specialists say the only ethical use of these technologies is to help couples have healthier babies.