THE apparent breakthrough by scientists in embryo testing may not only boost the success rate of IVF treatment but may also lead to something less tangible yet no less important – fewer broken dreams.

The heartache that couples suffer when they are unable to have children is hard to fully comprehend for most people lucky enough to have children.

As parents we understand the joy children bring to our lives and can empathise with those who do not have them, but the actual conception and successful pregnancy is rather taken for granted by much of society.

For those couples who undergo cycles of IVF treatment there is real anxiety many of us never fully appreciate.

No matter how realistic and rational potential parents are, the whole cycle of IVF treatment is based on that single hope: Please, let it work this one time. And when that hope dies, there is true anguish.

The test does not create a greater number of embryos, but it does cut the margin for error by identifying those more likely to lead to a successful pregnancy.

We hope that the true benefit is that it reduces the number of people who go on that emotional roller-coaster and are ultimately left disappointed.