In vitro fertilization (IVF) as its name suggests is an assisted reproductive technology (ART) used to allow couples facing infertility to be bestowed with a child. Garcia (2005) defines infertility as the inability of a couple to become pregnant (regardless of cause) after 1 year of unprotected sexual intercourse. About 90 million of couples globally are affected by infertility. More than 250,000 babies have been born by the method of IVF till now and they are referred to as test tube babies. An infertile couple can either have a biologically or non-biologically related child through IVF. (In Vitro Fertilization n.d) has clearly stated that people resort to IVF only after other fertility treatments have failed. The ultimate aim of IVF has been best described by DeCherney (1986) as a process to mimic nature as best possible using artificial.
According to DeCherney (1986) IVF is a method of assisted reproduction, which consists of three main phases. The first step is the induction of ovulation. The women will be first given the GnRH-Agonist (Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Agonist) or a GnRH-Antagonist which is to reduce the release of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland. This is because a LH surge would cause a premature ovulation. Next, hMG (Human menopausal gonadotropin) is given to stimulate the development of numerous ovarian follicles. When two follicles more than 1.5cm in diameter are found through ultrasound, an injection of hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is administered to stimulate maturation of follicles. The eggs are then collected approximately 36 hours after the hCG injection.
The next step technically is the removal of ovum as mentioned by DeCherney (1986). The surgeon inserts a sterile need...
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...murder. Goldworth (1999) asserts that science supports the perception that life begins at conception as the embryo differs from other cells in a woman and can be identified as human by its DNA. Religious wise, the Catholic Church supports that a new life begins at the moment of fertilization. Therefore, destroying unused embryos is not ethical. To add on, a normal embryo and post-natal life is not guaranteed for IVF. Then, why allow children to born from such procedures, when it is known risks are involved?
In conclusion, IVF benefits many infertile couples by helping them to cope with their infertility and have opportunities for childbearing too. However, there are numerous problems concerning IVF including its drawbacks and whether it is to be viewed as ethical. Couples opting for IVF have to make sure the risks which it poses are outweighed by its benefits.
Couples experiencing infertility issues now have a number of options at their disposal from in-vitro fertilization to intrauterine insemination or going as far as using a surrogate and donor eggs or donor sperm. Technology has made it possible for someone to experience the joy of parenthood regardless of whether they can naturally conceive children. All of these procedures come with their own ethical questions and pros and cons. One of the biggest moral dilemmas is what to do with the left-over embryos still in storage when a family has decided they have had enough children. Most couples see this ethical quandary because they recognize that the embryos are whole human beings and do not think it is morally right to dispose
For many years, infertile couples have had difficulty facing the reality that they can not have children. According to Nidus Information Services Incorporated, 6.2 million women in the United States are infertile. This problem leads to many options. A few options have been used for a long period of time: the couple could adopt a child or keep trying to have a child themselves. For those couples that want to have their own children, there are new options arising. In vetro fertilization is an option that gives couples the chance to have a doctor combine the male's sperm and the woman's eggs in a petri dish and implant them into the woman's womb after the artificial conception. This may result in multiple pregnancies - more than five in some cases. This does not only occur in implantation, however. Many times the patient's doctor will ask her to consider selective reduction: aborting a few fetuses to save the ones she can. In a case of multiple pregnancy, selective reduction should be considered an option.
With the increased rate of integrating In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), there has been a steep inclination within the associated needs of specifications. Observably, the development of babies using scientific measures was initially formulated and specified for developing the diverse range of development associated with the same (Turriziani, 2014). However, these developments are noted to be creating an adverse impact on the natural course of events and subsequently, resulting with an adverse impact on the natural process of the development of babies. The initial integrations within the system of IVF for developing babies have further been initiated with the effective use of science to develop a healthy baby. Hence, the use of such progressions can be argued as not hampering the ethical needs associated with the same. Conversely, the initial progression within the same and the changes in the use of such practices are identified as unethical, as it has been acting as a threat in the natural course of development of embryos and altering the natural course of events, suspected to be imposing significant influence on infant mortality (Turriziani,
“Second, eggs are retrieved through a minor surgical procedure that uses ultrasound imaging to guide a hollow needle through the pelvic cavity to
In vitro fertilization is the process by which stem cells result. In vitro literally translates to “in glass” which is why the phrase “test tube baby” is common when referring to this act. In cases of infertility a woman can turn to this process which harvests eggs from a female and then fertilizes those eggs in a test tube. The fertilized eggs will then be matured in an incubator for one to two days before they are transferred into the woman. These same steps are taken when creating stem cells for experimentation, however, the fertilized...
We as Catholics are taught to show respect and protect human life from the moment of conception. From conception, the embryo must be defended, cared for, loved for, and healed, as much as possible, like any other human being should be. God gives life from the moment of conception and we don't have the right to take it away.
For child conceived through In Vitro Fertilization and/or egg donation, in some cases, the feelings are harder to explain. Questions get more difficult, and explaining their conception becomes a science presentation. Bioengineering through egg donation and/or IVF should be made totally illegal in the United States because of the violation to the natural rights of both donors and their children, unethical handling and disposal of fertilized embryos, negative impacts
What is Artificial Implantation? Artificial Implantation or IUI is a technique used to help treat infertility in both men and women. In this procedure, sperm are inserted directly into a woman's cervix, fallopian tubes, or uterus. By doing this it makes it possible for pregnancy to occur where is was not able to before. Infertility in men can be caused by many factors including having few or no sperm, having too large of veins in the testicials, and other injuries or illnesses to the testicials and sperm. Infertility in women can be caused by heavy alcohol and drug use, smoking, age, environmental toxins, stress, poor diet, athletic training, being overweight, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and many health issues (Women’s). As a result of these factors both men and women in 1981 artificial implantation and other fertility techniques resulted in over 200,000 babies being born that year and the numbers have rapidly grown over the years (Infertility). The technique of Artificial Implantation is discussed according to the diverse moral values of others; furthermore, throughout Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, moral values are also questioned over creating a human from something other than sexual reproduction.
In my opinion, In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is one of the greatest breakthroughs in Medical Biotechnology in the last 50 years. Finding out you are infertile can be heart-breaking and distressing. After trying for long periods of time, some couples are not able to conceive. Thankfully, this problem many couples have can be fixed by In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), a process that was developed and used in Britain first more than 30 years ago by Doctors Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards. In 1978, the world’s first IVF baby was born into the world and since thousands and thousands of babies have been born every year using this method.
“IVF Patient Numbers and Success Rates Continue to Rise." Human Fertlisation & Embryology Authority. Dec. 2007. .
The use of fertility treatments in recent years has been accompanied by an increase in the number of multiple births seen annually. The twin birth rate has increased by 59% since 1980, and the triplet and higher order multiples birth rate is up 423% (Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughter’s, 2004). There are two main forms of assisted reproductive therapy (ART) that are used currently. These are ovulation induction using fertility drugs alone and In vitro fertilization (IVF).
In Vitro Fertilization is one of the assisted reproductive technologies. Technically, It is not a technology. It is the procedure to help people who couldn’t have a child due to several reasons. The main reason why couples couldn’t produce a child is due to infertility. Infertility of humans is already common thing. Based on the research from the world health organization in 2010, 48.5 million couples couldn’t have a child due to infertility. This is a very large number and it is in need for a solution. Therefore, IVF have been the solution for those people. It is now the major treatment to treat infertility for humans. However, IVF is not only spreading positive image to the society. IVF also created some controversy with some group of people and it is regarding the
Storck, Susan, MD. "In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 26 Feb. 2012. Web.
An important scientific argument for IVF is that, by studying fertilization and early embryonic development outside the womb, scientists might learn more about how to prevent certain birth defects (1). This proves that IVF could actually make improvements in medical advances, especially in regards to prenatal care. This is just one example of how IVF can actually be beneficial to the community. The only times that babies are malformed or sick are when the mother puts more than one baby in her uterus. Multiple fetuses increase the chance of birth defects because they have a greater chance of preterm birth, which is associated with long-term health. The long-term illnesses are cerebral palsy, mental illness, and blindness (Reddy 1). With this in mind, having single births is very safe and those babies are still healthy today, just like Sarah and Maggie Marshall’s baby. Single births are also very highly recommended by medical personnel. Going back to the first test tube baby the Browns were expecting, and Steptoe (the doctor) thought that this baby would be a failure. When they did a cesarean on July 25, 1978, a beautiful baby girl was born at 5 pounds and 12 ounces. After the baby was born, the doctor recalled that
Can anybody or anything claim to be a god—the supreme entity that governs all moral authority? Since Gregor Mendel first tinkered with plants for genes to the time of great evolutionists like that of Lamarck and Darwin who proposed their individual theories of evolution; there has been much more technological advancement, debate, controversy, and understanding on the “origin” of humans through scientific fields like that of genetics, genetic engineering, etc. There has always been an assumption and belief of a higher power governing the physical world that scientists and metaphysicists cannot answer; however, there has been great insight into how did we come to be? Any practicing religion will tell you, God or gods are the answer to every question. Both sides are quick to defend either their science or their religion from the fundamentalist to the naturalist. In more recent news, in vitro fertilization (the fertilization of an egg cell outside the body) has begun to see an increase in viability as questions about its ethics and morality have become more accepting due to the costs of a procedure being cut down (not covered by the Affordable Care Act), developments in medical and scientific technology through IVF, and subsidiary factors: the advent of “designer babies” and the increasing tolerance of homosexuality—leading to couples to seek out IVF.