The Hidden Dangers of In Vitro Fertilization
explanatory Essay
675 words
The Hidden Dangers of In Vitro Fertilization
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)involves giving a woman drugs to induce ovulation and then harvesting (collecting) those mature eggs through a laparoscope. The man masturbates to collect the semen. Then, the semen and ova are mixed in a dish, where fertilization may occur. Then the tiny, new embryonic human(s) are put into the cavity of the woman's uterus with the hope that they will plant and grow. Other sophisticated techniques having the same purpose, employ a diversity of approaches to producing a pregnancy.
Many church-related groups oppose this as "unnatural" and not ethical. Other groups limit their official organizational policy to protecting human life already conceived, and thus have no official position on the "preliminaries." All, however, totally object to the destruction of any of these tiny human lives once they exist. All, therefore, condemn the "pick-of-the-litter" practice. This is when certain "concepti" (embryos) are discarded (killed) while others are planted.
In 1993 the American Fertility Society reported on an aggregate of 33,000 attempts of "assisted reproductive technology." Remembering that in each attempt 3 to 5 embryos are planted, the success per attempt (not per embryo) was:
- 24,671 cycles with I.V.F. and 15% deliveries
- 5,452 cycles with GIFT and 26% deliveries
- 2,104 cycles with ZIT and 20% deliveries
- 714 cycles with combinations and 19% deliveries
In addition 4,838 frozen embryo procedures were tried with one of the above methods and had 11% deliveries.
ICSI is intracytoplasmic sperm injection, a new fertility procedure. In it a single sperm is injected directly into the ovum in the laborato...
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...onal average for congenital cardiac transposition and five times as many spina bifida. Stillbirths and deaths in the infant's first three months after delivery are more than three times the national average. (Fleming)
WORKS CITED:
American Fertilization Society, Assisted Reprod. Technology, data from Registry, Fertility & Sterility, vol. 59, no. 5, May '93
Bustillo et al., "Ovum Transfer in Infertile Women," JAMA, vol. 251, no. 9, Mar. 2, 1984
Fisher,A. I.V.F. The Critical Issue, Collins Dove Publishers, Melbourne, 1989
J. Fleming, S. Cross Bio-Ethics Institute, from Natl. Perinatal Statis. Unit, Sidney U., Autumn 1989
Gubernich,L. et al., Tarnished Miracle, Forbes, Nov. 6, 1995, p. 98
Rosenwaks,Z. JAMA, Dec. 18, 1996
Testait,J. ". . Preg. rate . . . after embryo freezing," Fertility & Sterility, vol. 46, no. 2, p. 268, Aug. '86
In this essay, the author
- Cites j. fleming, s. cross bio-ethics institute, from natl. perinatal statis. unit, sidney u.
- Explains testait, j., ".. preg. rate after embryo freezing," fertility & sterility, vol. 46, no. 2, p.
- Explains that in vitro fertilization involves giving a woman drugs to induce ovulation and then harvesting (collecting) mature eggs. church-related groups oppose this as "unnatural" and not ethical.
- Explains that 4,838 frozen embryo procedures were tried and had 11% deliveries. icsi is intracytoplasmic sperm injection, a new fertility procedure.
- Cites bustillo et al., "ovum transfer in infertile women," jama, vol.
Related
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- The Pros And Cons Of In Vitro Fertilizationanalytical essayIn Vitro Fertilization, also known as IVF, is the combination of egg and sperm in a petri dish finishing with the transfer of the new embryo to the uterus. There are many people all over the world using this new process and it has attracted much attention since its beginning. With world-wide recognition, comes critics and supporters, and multiple opinions. Usually, any type of church is the organization that draws the most attention against IVF. Though this process is fought against everyday, In Vitro Fertilization should continue to be an option for women around the world who are desperate for their own children.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that in vitro fertilization, also known as ivf, is the combination of egg and sperm in a petri dish finishing with the transfer of the new embryo to the uterus.
- Explains that ivf is an option for infertile couples or women who want to have their own children. it increases the chances of getting pregnant by harvesting multiple eggs.
- Explains that while ivf is the main reason for giving infertile couples, there are other qualities that draw people to this procedure as well.
- Explains that ivf is popular around the world, but it still has its critics. some people believe that this procedure is against god’s plan of natural births, which brings much moral controversy.
- Argues that ivf is an option for women and couples across the country who want to have their own children.
1151 wordsRead More - The topic that I would like to address is women donating their eggs for stem cell research. I see many ethical concerns when it comes to this issue, one of which is creating new human embryonic stem cell lines. The only way to make this research possible is by women donating their eggs. In other words, does this lead to positive outcomes or rather yet negative outcomes?
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the only way to make this research possible is by women donating their eggs for stem cell research.
- Explains the negative ethical concerns that go along with females donating eggs, such as the personal risk that they go through when they donate their eggs.
- Opines that women aren't aware of what they're getting themselves into when they donate their eggs. they sign a consent form that states that they understand the risks of the procedure.
- Describes the "controlled ovarian hyperstimulation" or "superovulation and iui" technique. the first step is beginning drug therapy treatment using gonadotropins.
- Explains that these women are being treated as research subjects rather than patients. they believe that they are doing the right thing and are eventually going to help other individuals out.
- Opines that women are doing this for the money, or are they doing it to help other individuals out?
- Opines that stem cell research is ethical, and that it is important to educate and explore the issues bothering scientifically and ethically.
- Opines that there are ethical issues involved when it comes to women donating their eggs.
625 wordsRead More - Why Is Artificial Conception Wrongexplanatory essayScience is the quickest advancing subject in today’s society. People of all ages will always have a taste for the advancement of science. With the advancements moving at the speed of light, humans created artificial conception.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that science is the quickest advancing subject in today’s society. people of all ages will always have a taste for the advancement of science.
- Quotes robert edwards, the founding father of in vitro fertilization, who wanted to find out who was in charge, whether it was god himself or scientists in the laboratory.
- Explains that artificial conception is any technique that separates the procreation of a child from the natural sexual union of husband and wife.
- Explains that artificial conception violates the child's right to be born of a father and mother known to him and bound to each other by marriage.
- Opines that artificial conception is morally wrong even if it is in vitro fertilization, where the wife's egg and her husband’s sperm are put together to fertilize outside of her body.
- Explains that human life is a gift from god, who alone is the head of all he has created. artificial insemination violates the dignity of the person and the sanctity of marriage.
- Explains that human sexuality is procreative and unitive. when the conjugal act is bypassed, children become products; human embryos are engendered in test tubes and discarded when no longer needed.
- Explains how artificial conception leads to happiness. artificial conception destroys the unitive part of the nature of sexuality.
- Analyzes how artificial conception removes sex from marriage. without the conjugal act, the act of union, marriage is not complete.
1096 wordsRead More - Influence of Genetically Modified Foods on Infertilityexplanatory essayThe medical definition of infertility is the failure to conceive following twelve months of unprotected intercourse (World health organization, 2014). Fertility in males and females is made possible by several body processes, namely: Gametogenesis, Spermatogenesis, Oogenesis, the menstrual cycle, Meiosis, and finally fertilization. To fully understand the process of pregnancy in relation to each process, each will be fully discussed. The statistical decrease of fertility is shown below.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the current infertility rate has increased immensely over the last two decades. the increased consumption of gm foods and the manipulation of the dna structure of foods could also contribute to the increase in fertility rates.
- Explains chromosomes are the self-replicating genetic structure of cells containing the cellular dna that bears in its nucleotide sequence the linear array of genes.
- Explains that dna is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms and viruses.
- Explains that every person inherits one gene from each parent and therefore has two replicas of each gene.
- Explains that meiosis is a specific type of nuclear division that divides homologous chromosomes into gametes.
- Describes the process of 'crossing over' of the chaiasmata, where groups of genes are swapped between maternal and paternal chromosomes.
- Explains that the two chromatids that make up each chromosome separate. the haploid cells now divide by mitosis.
- Explains that gametogenesis is the formation of mature gametes (sperm and ova) by the reproductive glands through the process of meiosis.
- Explains that oogenesis is a vital process needed for fertilization in the female reproductive system.
- Explains the key processes of spermatogenesis in relation to infertility and fertility.
- Explains that the menstrual cycle provides hormones such as oestrogen to keep the female body in a healthy state.
- Explains that reproduction plays a pertinent role in fertilization. the reproductive system must be understood before the causes of infertility are explained.
- Explains that genetic modification is the use of modern biotechnology techniques to change the genes of an organism, such as a plant or animal.
- Explains that genetic engineering provides a method to breed plants that is both accurate and rapid. various gm foods are produced via different methods; each method has implications and may affect infertility in both males and females.
- Explains that although gm foods are a possible factor of infertility, there are alternative causes. these causes affect the processes mentioned above, i.e.
- Explains recessive gene is a trait, disorder or disease that may be passed down over many family generations. infertility in males or females may result from an infertile gene present in the dna structure.
- Explains that a gene mutation is an alteration of the genetic structure of an organism.
- Explains that abstinence, hormone medication, surgery, and oral contraceptives do not cause infertility; however, they temporarily cause the body to be impregnated.
- Explains that endometriosis causes tubal blockages and ovulation problems. it blocks the pathway of the ovary to the fallopian tube.
- Explains that the eggs contained with the ovaries may develop chromosomal abnormalities and therefore is not able to sustain a pregnancy.
- Explains that the male genital tract is external and therefore more susceptible to bacterial infections. this causes impairment in the manufacture of motile sperm within the testes and causes infertility.
- Explains that semen contains substances with sperm antibodies that constrict the motile sperm and therefore has an inability to fertilize.
- Explains that exposure to harmful substances such as chemical radiation and lead results in decreased sperm production, which restricts fertility.
- Opines that infertility is a norm, and gm foods have unnatural sequences of dna proteins that cause abnormalities in the endocrine system.
- Explains that infertility is the failure to conceive after twelve months of unprotected intercourse, and that fertility in males and females is made possible by several body processes.
- Explains that there are more than one method used in gm foods, by using enzymes or vectors. the following method uses metal that are coated with the desirable dna and then fired at plants in the form of pellets
- Explains that gm foods are done with precision, but there is no absolute guarantee that the proteins produced are the ones intended. genetic engineering combines sequences of dna that have never before been in the same combination.
2441 wordsRead More - Stafford-Bell, MA & Copeland, CM 2001, ‘Surrogacy in Australia: implantation rates have implications for embryo quality and uterine receptivity’, Reproduction, Fertility and Development, vol.13, no.1, pp.99-104.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that surrogacy is an arrangement of assisted reproductive treatment in which a birth mother carriers and delivers the child for another individual or couple, also known as intended parent(s).
- Explains the complex process of surrogacy, which requires the birth mother to provide the infertile parent(s) with a child.
- Explains that surrogacy provides an opportunity for infertile and intended parent(s) to have a biological child.
- Explains that surrogacy involves controversial and complex procedures, such as intrauterine insemination, and that it can be a tedious and intricate process.
- Explains that surrogacy has an affect at the individual level. surrogate mothers faced psychological and emotional burden to relinquish the child leading to custody battles.
- Explains that surrogacy may be regarded as prostitution and adultery in some ethic groups.
- Argues that the drawbacks of surrogacy outweigh the benefits of the process.
- Cites the australian institute of family studies (aifs) 2009, ‘diverse families making a difference’, australian government.
1673 wordsRead More - Assisted Reproductive Technologyexplanatory essayContrary to what most believe to be true, infertility is caused by as many men as by women. In fact, about 40% of cases are att...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that reproductive technology has brought joy and hope to many infertile couples, but has also brought moral and ethical dilemmas.
- Explains that assisted reproductive technologies (art) are a way in which people can combat infertility. these technologies include artificial insemination, in-vitro fertilization, and intra cytoplasmic sperm injection.
- Explains that artificial insemination is the simplest and oldest method of mechanical reproduction. the first american ai baby was born in 1866.
- Explains the three main techniques involved in aih and aid. intrauterine insemination (iui) is the most common, but requires fertility drugs to stimulate an increased production of eggs.
- Explains that surrogate mothers are used when a woman is unable to carry the baby to term but her husband is capable of producing viable sperm.
- Explains that ivf was first introduced in 1977 when two english doctors joined the sperm and egg of a couple, which resulted in the birth of louise brown in 1978.
- Explains that fertility drugs stimulate ovulation in order to produce multiple mature eggs at one time. the doctor then retrieves the eggs by giving the woman anesthetic and then inserting a needle through the vaginal wall.
- Explains how art methods differ from ai, ivf, or gift in terms of what exactly is transferred to the woman, and the maturity of the transplanted cells.
- Explains that the exact procedure chosen by a couple is partially determined by their cause of infertility. if the woman's fallopian tubes are blocked or absent, ivf is the option of choice.
- Explains that most health insurance companies do not consider infertility a medical condition, so treatment to combat it is not often reimbursable. employers often don't choose an art plan.
- Argues that art methods threaten marriage in such a way that the fabric of the larger social community is threatened.
- Explains that a surrogate mother's situation is one of the most complicated in the realm of reproductive technologies. it is financially reimbursed, but does this cover the emotional and psychological issues of being pregnant and having to give up the baby?
- Explains that couples need to decide what to do with frozen embryos before using reproductive technologies.
- Explains that the role of reproductive technologies in the faith community brings up even more questions for christians. the roman catholic church views artificial insemination as adultery.
- Opines that people need to be educated about reproductive technology and learn about the pros and cons of each alternative. once they understand the technology, people are better able to evaluate how art methods fit into their personal value systems.
- Explains nelson, james. human medicine: ethical perspectives on new medical issues. minneapolis: augsburg publishing house.
- Explains thomasma, d. c., and kushman, t. (1996). birth to death. cambridge university press.
- Explains that infertility affects approximately 2.8 million couples out of the 600 million americans who are of reproductive age.
- Explains that oligospermia is the main cause of male infertility. poor egg quality, irregular ovulation, and blocked fallopian tubes are the most common causes.
- Explains that ivf has a 20% success rate (viable pregnancies) which is equivalent to normal intercourse.
- Explains that gift is the next most popular method used, entailing 6% of the art procedures. the method involved in producing and collecting eggs and sperm is identical to ivf.
- Explains that zift is considered the most invasive of all the art procedures. the method of collecting sperm and eggs is the same as in ivf and gift.
- Describes icsi as a breakthrough in helping male infertility because it bypasses the need for the sperm to swim through the woman's reproductive tract.
- Opines that couples contemplating the use of artificial reproduction need to be aware of the many social, moral, and ethical issues that surround this topic.
- Analyzes the social implications of reproductive technologies, such as unknowingly marrying a close relative, and the role of the biological parent who isn't planning on being part of their child's life.
- Describes austin, c.r., blank, robert, and merrick, janna.
- Cites conrad, denise, glazer, ellen, and hinman, lawrence m. on ethical issues in reproductive technologies.
4741 wordsRead More - Transfer of Multiple Babies: In Vitroexplanatory essayYoungs, Curtis R. 2007. Embryo Transfer in Beef Cattle. Animal Science Department, Iowa Sate University. 267-284
In this essay, the author
- Explains that embryo transfer can happen in many different animals including humans. most farmers do embryo transfer because they use their dominant genetics to produce dominant offspring.
- Explains that some transfers of preimplantation embryos occur in laboratories/vet offices due to the fact that donors can't immediately put in recipient females after harvest.
- Explains that the process of embryo transfer starts with the selection of a donor cow that's going to produce the most genetically superior offspring for the future.
- Explains that the selection of the recipient cow, in which you're going to put the egg in, can be chosen among cows and heifers.
- Explains that estrus must be synchronized in donor and recipient females at approximately the same time in order to obtain high pregnancy rates following embryo transfer.
- Explains that the superovulation of the donor is the process of ovulating a greater than normal number of eggs.
- Explains that the next critical period is the detection of estrus in the donor and recipients. the most familiar heat patches are kamr, heat watch, and estrotect.
- Describes the process of removing embryos from the uterus after fertilization in the donor cow.
- Explains that embryos are checked and graded under a 2 digit scale to make sure they are production oriented. the next biggest factor is making sure that recipients are synchronized to be within 24 hours of having an open cl.
- Explains that if you superovulate a donor, the number of eggs that are transferable is 5 to 15, which is half of the total amount that you get in the beginning.
- Opines that 80 percent of the transferable embryos stick when they are transferred into a recipient cow, which is well worth the money and time spent in the end.
1360 wordsRead More - Pros And Cons Of In Vitro Dressingopinion essayEnvision yourself in this position: You have been contentedly married for 8 years and you have tried several times to have children, but somehow your female companion doesn´t fall pregnant. You have already tried other alternatives for getting her pregnant but they have failed; now, MD talking to you about one last alternative that is very effective called in vitro dressing. However, you have heard it is unethical and against your faith, so you and your female companion decide to keep trying in a natural way. She never gets pregnant and you live the remainder of your life wondering how would it have been to be a father . Reproduction is one of the most important issues in everyone’s life. In vitro dressing, usually referred to as IVF, is a commons handling for couplet with
In this essay, the author
- Explains that in vitro dressing is a commons handling for couplets with infertility.
- Explains that in vitro fertilization is used only by couples that have trouble getting pregnant without treatment. it involves the female compannion picking medication to stimulate her ovary to produce more oestrogen than usual.
- Explains that in vitro fertilization is an amazing solution for couples with certain characteristics of infertility.
- Explains that in vitro fertilization would be the discussion of choice in any couples deciding to use giver ball, such as if the woman is injured from premature ovarian failure or has other issues with her own supply.
- Explains that in vitro dressing can detect genetic irregularities in the eggs before transferring them into the female parent.
- Opines that it is critical to make an informed option about in vitro dressing and not just decline to do it deprived of knowing what it's.
- Concludes that vitro-fertilisation is a popular and effective procedure that has brought the opportunity of being parents to many infertile females and couples from all around the globe.
929 wordsRead More - Fertility: The Right to Conceiveanalytical essayWhitlow, Joan. “New Methods Aid Infertile Males.” Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ). 10 Jul. 1994: Sec. 6, 1+. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 17 Apr. 2014
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes bleyer, jennifer, and sirs issues researcher. a conception conundrum.
- Analyzes ehrenfeld, temma, and sirs issues researcher's article, "infertility: a guy thing."
- Explains guo, j., et al. analyzing clinical data of patients with different outcomes after short-time insemination.
- Analyzes levitan, corey, and sirs issues researcher's article, fertile attraction (embryologist).
- Analyzes lunau, kate, and sirs issues researcher's "thirty-seven and counting."
- Analyzes how the emotional, physical, and financial toll of infertility can be devastating.
- Cites whitlow, joan, and sirs issues researcher. new methods aid infertile males.
- Explains that infertility is a disease of the reproductive system that impairs conception and affects men and women.
865 wordsRead More - Ethics and Oocycte Cryopreservationanalytical essay...s in the field of oocyte cryopreservation. Oocyte cryopreservation may be performed by a slow-cooling process or by oocyte vitrification, which decreases ice formation and osmotic stress in the oocytes. Recent studies have shown similar fertilization and pregnancy rates for fresh and vitrified oocytes. Oocyte cryopreservation has the potential to simplify oocycte donation and could extend egg banking to women with decreased ovarian reserve as well as to oncologic patients. Though more controversial, these procedures may also be of use to women that desire to delay childbearing. As oocyte cryopreservation continues to advance it is certain to be increasingly integrated into the clinical practice of assisted reproductive technology. However, there remain ethical considerations for the use of oocyte cryopreservation as a method of fertility preservation at this time.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that there are ethical issues surrounding oocycte cryopreservation, based on whether there is medical indications for fertility preservation or elective use in otherwise healthy women.
- Explains that oocyte cryopreservation is increasingly becoming a part of clinical practice as the asrm has lifted the experimental label.
- Explains that oocyte cryopreservation is preferred for women undergoing cancer treatment and women at risk of premature menopause. some groups consider reproductive rights to be a manifestation of patient autonomy.
- Argues that elective oocyte cryopreservation may jeopardize the ethical obligation of non-maleficiency.
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