reproductive technologies in vitro fertilization (ivf)

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