BY RACHEL BUTLER SURROGACY IN HUMANS

SURROGACY Surrogacy is a form of assisted reproductive technology(ART)Surrogacy is when another woman carries and gives birth to a baby for the couple that wants to have a child. The surrogate has no genetic link to the child. Surrogacy is appropriate when: An absence or malformation of the womb is present. Recurrent pregnancy loss occurs. Repeated IVF failure occurs. Surrogacy keeps the genes of certain humans in the gene pool and allows humans to have a child if they are unable to do so.

MEIOSIS INVOLVEMENT Meiosis is involved in creating the two gametes that come together and undergo fertilisation. Gametes undergo meiosis, which creates four daughter cells. Meiosis is also involved in creating the embryo’s gametes in the later stages of development. When the embryo develops reproductive organs, meiosis can take place so that many gametes can be produced. The embryo will then be able to have offspring later on.

MITOSIS INVOLVEMENT When the zygote is formed, mitosis begins so that the zygote can grow and form into an embryo. The cells replicate their DNA and split, resulting in two daughter cells. Mitosis continues throughout embryonic development. Further along in development, the cells can diverge into their specialised forms such as heart muscle cells or skin cells. These cells can then divide by mitosis so that the embryo can continue living. Mitosis involvement in a zygote.

MEIOSIS VS. MITOSIS

SEXUAL REPRODUCTION Surrogacy uses sexual reproduction as two gametes fuse together to form a new organism. Sexual reproduction involves two parents, each giving a gamete, which results in a new organism. Offspring differs from its parents as it is mixing genetic information of the two parents.

STEPS OF SURROGACY Surrogacy is a similar procedure to IVF (in vitro fertilisation), however the embryo is implanted in a surrogate instead of the genetic mother. 1.The patient (mother) is stimulated for IVF with medications to develop multiple eggs. 2.The surrogate is placed on medications that suppress her own menstrual cycle and stimulate development of a receptive uterine lining. 3.When the patient’s (mother) gametes are mature, an egg retrieval procedure is performed to remove eggs from her ovaries. 3.Egg Retrieval Procedure- Eggs are taken from the patient to be artificially fertilised

STEPS OF SURROGACY 5.The eggs are fertilised in a laboratory with the male’s sperm. The embryos develop in a laboratory for 3-5 days. 6.An embryo transfer procedure is done which places the embryos in the surrogate mother’s uterus where they will hopefully implant. This is a critically important procedure as it is the final step of IVF. 7.The surrogate delivers the baby and the baby goes home with the genetic parents. 5.Fertilisation of egg takes place by inserting male sperm into the female’s egg. 6.Embryo transfer procedure- implantation of embryo occurs

WHO BENEFITS FROM SURROGACY? Women who are unable to carry their own offspring benefit from surrogacy as they are able to be the biological mother of the child. Infertile men or men with a partner who is unable to carry a baby also benefit from surrogacy as they are still able to be the genetic parent of the child. Surrogates can also benefit from surrogacy as it is a selfless action giving someone a child that they are unable to have. Many surrogates enjoy the journey and the opportunity to grow a baby for someone that is unable to.

DOES SURROGACY REDUCE BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY? Surrogacy allows parents to have a biological child by growing the offspring in another woman’s womb. This does not reduce biological diversity as the genes of the parents is still being passed on. Surrogacy actually helps to keep biological diversity as it is keeping the genes of the parents who are unable to have a child in the biological mother’s womb.

REFERENCES care.com/askquestion/3483/what-is-the-role-of-mitosis-in-fetal- development.html care.com/askquestion/3483/what-is-the-role-of-mitosis-in-fetal- development.html acy-in-the-uk-risks-and-benefits acy-in-the-uk-risks-and-benefits ges/in_vitro_fertilisation ges/in_vitro_fertilisation reproduction/guide/using-surrogate-mother reproduction/guide/using-surrogate-mother care.com/askquestion/3483/what-is-the-role-of-mitosis-in-fetal- development.html care.com/askquestion/3483/what-is-the-role-of-mitosis-in-fetal- development.html