1. James Downs, Steve Parsons, Kyle Haduck King’s College, Wilkes-Barre PA Aim & Methods Results/Conclusion Introduction References An estimated 50,000 women turn to IVF every year. Since 1991, 3.5 million embryos have been created through fertilization. IVF provides an option for couples who are unable to become pregnant on their own to have a child whether it be medical reasons, family issues, occupational setbacks, etc. Some reasons for male infertility has to do with age, problems with ovulation, anatomical issues, blocked fallopian tubes, cervical disorders, or polycystic ovarian syndrome. Some reasons for male infertility is age, low sperm count, concentration or mobility, STD’s, anatomical issues, or chemotherapy/medication purposes. IVF is a very costly procedure. For a woman to use her own eggs, it costs nearly $25,000 while using another woman’s eggs cost $38,000. Since only 45-57% of the embryos actually work, the prices rise or fall with each various treatment. For a single birth it costs $7,000 while multiple births cost $23,000. One form of method for IVF is Cryopreservation. The first Cryopreserved baby was born in 1984. This method deals with preserving the embryos in a liquid-nitrogen solution at extremely low temperatures in order for the embryos to be available for use at a later date. Doctors said that Cryopreservation is “a well-established form of assisted conception treatment. An increasing number of IVF clinics worldwide are no able to freeze spare embryos for later transfer. Embryo cryopreservation allows multiple embryo transfers form a single egg collection and improves the chances of live birth.” Here are some others as well: Future Work Scientists are at the forefront of improving embryo selection and choosing the IVF process. New developments in the field of IVF have expanded the embryo selection process beyond measure of morphology. The combination of all factors will determine the success of how far IVF can be reached of one day having one healthy baby per pregnancy. In Vitro Fertilization was first successfully carried out in 1978 with the birth of Louise Brown.. Babies that come through IVF are colloquially referred to as “Test Tube Babies”. IVF is a process where the egg is fertilized by sperm outside of the body. It is considered a major fertility treatment and is especially favored when all other options have failed. The process starts by monitoring the mothers ovulation cycle and removing the egg at the same. Next the egg is fertilized in a test tube by sperm removed from the father. Once the embryo is complete it is either frozen for implantation at a alter date or implanted into the uterus of the mother. The embryo then grows at a normal rate until the time of birth. "In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Facts, Success Rates, Multiple Births, What to Expect." WebMD. WebMD, 02 Jan. 0002. Web. 24 Apr. 2013. Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Stem Cells: What They Are and What They Do." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 23 Mar. 2013. Web. 24 Apr. 2013. Pediatrics, Research Of. "Human Embryo Research." Human Embryo Research. N.p., May 2009. Web. 24 Apr. 2013. "Ethics of Stem Cell Research." (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy). N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2013. Hough, Andrew. "1.7 Million Human Embryos Created for IVF Thrown Away." The Telegraph. N.p., 17 Apr. 2013. Web. 31 Dec. 2012. Since its introduction in the US (1981) it has resulted in the birth of almost 200,000 babies. Pregnancy was achieved in an average of 29.4% of all cycles. Live births were achieved by an average of 22.4% of all cycles. 90% of women who were able to become pregnant by IVF experience normal pregnancy and delivery. Although many people are starting to use IVF, there have been many complications that doctors question whether or not if it is ethically right. Some of these complications have been preterm birth, low birth weight, malformations, multiple births, higher rate of asthma, and overall more hospital care. Along with this, there are many emotional consequences such as 66% of women who were reported infertile claimed they became depressed, 17$ of marriages ended in divorce post fertilization, and just the overall pain of the fertilization itself. As a group we have came to a conclusion that In Vitro Fertilization is ethically and morally right if people wish to have it done. We say this because IVF gives people the opportunity to have a child if they are unable to have the usual intercourse. With advancements so quick in IVF, parents have the choice to have the child at a later date if they wish. Although we agree with it, most doctors do not perform this for patients because they fell as if they are playing a role in a situation where they feel uncomfortable. We only see this method as a positive when it is to help start a family when they cannot do it the natural way. Implant the Embryos Parental StandpointFinancial StandpointEthical Standpoint The mother already has issues with the father and is divorced from him. The court case may be reopened which scares the mother due to previous child abuse problems. The father may potentially have some sort of visitation rights to these children to be born. Is the mother ready to raise another child on her own? She will not feel guilty; the embryos are being used what they were created for. The mother is already financially struggling; to bring another child or children into this work would cost her a lot of money. She must pay for the IVF to have the embryos implanted, and will have increased expenses due to doctors visits, treatments, etc. If the baby is born, will she even be able to afford to give it a healthy lifestyle along with her already born children? She must consider how the child will feel being brought into the world with an abusive father, or potentially never meeting his or her father at all. Catholic view: a life or lives will be saved. The embryos will be used what they were created for in the first place. Embryo Transfer or Adoption Parental StandpointFinancial StandpointEthical Standpoint Relieves mother of personal duties/ burdens without “killing” the embryo. Mother’s DNA carried on to a child she will never know. Does not involve father Cheaper than IVF for couples looking to a have a child ($4,560- $5,360) The mother could actually make money off the embryos if she chose to sell them. No cost to the mother donating the eggs Roman Catholic View: The embryo is considered a person because it is a new genetic individual. Preserves human life. Donate for Research Parental StandpointFinancial StandpointEthical Standpoint Mother unaware of embryo’s existence. The embryos will be destroyed; internal guilt. No interaction with her estranged husband necessary. Embryos will be put to good use, not simply thrown away. No further cost. Destruction of the human embryo. Personal Position: “the product of fertilization deserves absolute respect and protection.” The Catholic Church’s view on RT’s. Throw Away Embryos Parental StandpointFinancial StandpointEthical Standpoint Throwing away the embryos will ensure the mother will not have any more children. She will have to reestablish the relationship with her ex-husband for a short time. She needs her ex- husband's consent according the clinic. Her ex-husband could make the situation very difficult. No further payments (saves $3600 a year). Personal position states that the embryos would be considered people and should be afforded protection under the law. Being a Roman Catholic she has the obligation to protect her unborn children from the moment of conception. Different Methods Achievements Robert J Edwards: 2010 Nobel Peace Prize Winner in Physiology or Medicine Elizabeth Jordan Carr: First IVF baby is created on December 28, 1981 Howard Jones: Born December 30, 1910; known as “Father of IVF”