In Vitro Fertilization by: Nicholas Fowler and Rebecca Kaldahl

What is In Vitro Fertilization IVF is usually used in people with infertility, or with genetic problems. Mature eggs must be collected as well as mature sperm. The eggs are fertilized by the sperm in a lab, then they place a few fertilized eggs into a woman’s uterus. This can be done with anonymous donors or even you and your partner's eggs and sperm.

What is In Vitro Fertilization The chances of having a healthy baby are dependent on reasoning of infertility or age. IVF can be extremely expensive, time consuming and invasive. Some risks are: Ovarian cancer, stress, miscarriage, multiple births, ectopic pregnancy, premature delivery, low birth weight, and many more.

How does IVF occur The first thing that will happen if you are doing this with a partner is that you and your partner will go through various screenings. At the beginning of a cycle doctors will start giving hormones to a woman to induce multiple eggs to be created. Several other medications will be used to prepare lining of the uterus and prevent premature ovulation. Blood tests and vaginal ultrasounds will be used to find out if the woman is ready for egg retrieval.

How does IVF occur They will begin egg retrieval by either transvaginal ultrasound aspiration or if your ovaries aren’t accessible they will simply use abdominal surgery to retrieve the eggs. The Transvaginal ultrasound aspiration method works with a probe that is inserted into the vagina and into the follicles to retrieve the egg. The eggs are removed from follicles through a needle which is connected to suction.

How does IVF occur The sperm is usually collected and separated from semen in the clinic. There are two methods in which the sperm and eggs can be combined. Insemination- Healthy sperm and mature eggs are simply mixed and incubated overnight. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection- In this a single sperm is injected directly into each mature egg. Two to six days later your embryos are ready for implantation.

How does IVF occur A mild sedative is usually administered. A catheter is inserted into the vagina through the cervix and into the uterus. A syringe holding the embryos is then attached and the embryos are sent into the uterus. A blood sample will be taken 10 days to two weeks later. If you successfully get pregnant you get referred to an obstetrician if you end up not pregnant you will stop the progesterone medication and have your period and then try again.

Social Aspects Some couples use In Vitro Fertilization instead of adopting because they want children that look like them or want to experience the process of carrying a child to full term and giving birth. Couples need to undergo several cycles before success. Therefore it’s not available to all couples due to the expense. Modification of embryos for ‘Designer Babies’

Ethical Aspects In 1987 the Roman Catholic Church issued a doctrinal statement opposing IVF on three grounds: the destruction of human embryos not used for implantation; the possibility of in vitro fertilization by a donor other than the husband, thus removing reproduction from the marital context; and the severing of an essential connection between the conjugal act and procreation.

Ethical Aspects Unusually high rate of multiple births (twins, triplets, etc.) associated with IVF Defining where life begins If life begins at conception, they are wasting human life If life doesn’t begin until implantation, in vitro fertilization is fine Weakening family bond

Ethical Aspects Infants conceived following in vitro fertilization are more likely to be born premature, or of low birth weight. Increase in chromosomal abnormalities in IVF babies. Should older women be offered in vitro fertilization? IVF is less successful in older women.

Ethical Aspects What happens to all the extra embryos? What happens to “orphaned” embryo’s if parents die? Who owns the embryos in the case of a divorce? Can freezing embryos have negative effects on the baby?

Political Aspects In the United States, In Vitro Fertilization is lightly regulated due to the fact that it deals with conception and closely relates to abortion. In Canada, it is regulated under the Assisted Human Reproduction(AHR) Act.

Sources fertilization/basics/definition/prc up-controversy html