Reproductive Technologies In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Jan 18, 2016
Reproductive Technologies
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Normal Fertilization
IVF: In vitro fertilization
In vitro: in glass
Fertilization: Ova + Sperm
Hormonal treatment
Female
Harvest the ovum
Mix in a test tube
Natural ejaculation
Collect semen
Mature Ova
Motile sperms
Keep to develop embryo
Transfer to mother
Male
Basic Principle of IVF
Oocytes with granulosa cells
"Naked" Oocyte
8-cell embryo for transfer
Blastocyst for transfer
Implantation
Fourteen Days after Initial Cell Division
Viable Fetus
After Birth
Cryopreservation of Ova, Sperm and Embryo
Risks
Superovulation Stimulates Egg Development
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)
-could cause ovarian enlargement, fluid in the abdomen, difficulty breathing, kidney failure and blood clots which in rare and extreme circumstances can even result in death.
-common side effects include bloating, enlarged ovaries, nausea, diarrhea, and tender breasts.
Normal results
•success rates vary widely between clinics and between physicians performing the
procedure and implantation does not guarantee pregnancy
•procedure may have to be repeated more than once to achieve pregnancy
•success rates have improved in recent years, up from 20% in 1995 to 27% in 2001.
Abnormal results
•an ectopic or multiple pregnancy may abort spontaneously or may require termination if the health of the mother is at risk.
•the number of multiple pregnancies has decreased in recent years as technical advances and professional guidelines have led to implanting of fewer embryos per attempt.
• Bypassing the natural method of conception.
• The creation of life in the laboratory.
• Fertilization of more embryos than will be needed.
• Discarding of excess embryos.
• Unnatural environment for embryos.
• Use of untested technology.
• Not affordable for many.
• Misallocation of medical resources.
Ethics
http://www.psychologytoday.com/files/u818/babies-money_6189731.jpg
•Creation of embryos, then freezing
them, and keeping them "in limbo"
• Exposure of embryos to unnatural
substances
• Destruction of embryos in research
• Potential to create embryos for
medical purposes
• Potential to select embryos
(Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis)
My Sister’s Keeper
• Potential to modify embryos (designer
babies)
http://www.geneticsandsociety.org/img/original/designer_baby_2.jpg
• Facilitation of the idea that embryos are commodities.
• Financial rewards for IVF doctors dissuade them from
recommending other methods to couples.
• Infertility is treated as a disease and not as a symptom of
underlying medical problems.
Separating the traditional mother-father model
Pregnancy past menopause
Religious objections