1. Alternative Fertilization
By Destiny Kronebusch, Katherine Lynch, and Alana Briseno

2. In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Process of fertilization where an egg is combined with a sperm outside of the body (normally in a test tube or lab dish)
This has been used since Since then, it has been proven to be the most successful method to alternative fertilization compared to IUI and others because of consistent improvements within the technology.
Can be used to diagnose fertility problems, and screen for inherited diseases.
Unused embryos can be donated to research or another couple.
Can be used to treat infertility in men or women with:
Blocked, damaged, or removed fallopian tubes
Ovulation disorders (PCOS)
Premature ovarian failure
Endometriosis
Low sperm count or sperm motility
Genetic disorders
Example

3. Sperm, Egg, and Embryo Donation
Mastrubation for men or transvaginal ultrasound aspiration in the case of women, someone provides their sperm or eggs
Donating an embryo is donating an already fertilized egg
Egg donation is beneficial for women who are infertile or have a genetic disorder they don’t want to pass on
Sperm donation is beneficial to couples in which men are infertile or produce low amounts of sperm, or if a single women or same sex couple want to have children of their own
The first pregnancy by egg donation was in 1984, the first documented sperm donation case was in 1790

4. Risks With IVF Multiple Births
Egg-retrieval procedure complications--Same as any surgery you could have--example
Birth defects--Mainly in older women because there is a higher risk when you are over the age of 30. If women are over 41, they suggest using donor eggs because of the higher risk of complication.
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome--ovaries become swollen and painful from the use of the fertility drugs.--Example
Stimulation drug reactions--for 10 days or so you inject your body day and night and at the end you inject a huge dose of HCG.--example
Ovarian cancer--Possibly caused from the stimulation drugs
Premature delivery and low birth weight--Higher chance with IVF than a normal pregnancy because of having to take the stimulation drugs
Miscarriage and Ectopic Pregnancy--Just as high of a chance as a regular pregnancy
Stress--Financial and emotional

5. Ethical Aspects of IVF Religion:
Catholicism: Surrogacy, artificial insemination by husband or donor, and IVF are not allowed because procreation without sexual union is considered unnatural--Example
Judaism: Donor insemination is forbidden but artificial insemination using the husbands sperm and IVF are accepted when there is the need to heal the illness of infertility
Freezing of unused embryos--Who gets ownership if a couple divorces? The safety of the embryo freezing and the concern of how long the embryos are frozen and how it may have detrimental effects on fetal abnormalities. What do you do with the left over embryos if your IVF was successful?--Example

6. Ethical Aspects of Donation
Negatives
Risks
Allows the control of genetic factors
Someone could be the parent of many children
Using a donated egg is more expensive than donated sperm
No guarantee you'll become pregnant
Positives
Allows for a couple to have a child if they are either infertile, low amount of eggs or sperm, or same sex
Allows one parent to be genetically connected to the child
Gaining an egg from donation is the best option for women who haven’t responded well to in vitro fertilization

7. Social/Political Aspects of IVF
Negative:
Affects women’s sexual relationships
Emotional/Psychological Toll
Cost
Example
Positive:
People who couldn’t have kids who are genetically their own while trying regularly can have both of the parents DNA in their child.
It makes it easier for some people to have a child. Especially same sex couples/single women.
Cancer patients can get their eggs/embryos frozen until after their treatments and then they can go through the IVF process.

8. Social/Political Aspects of Egg and Sperm Donation
Positives
Designated or anonymous
Access information of their other biological donor parent
Sperm and egg donors are anonymous, but allow you to see their attributes
Allows you to help out someone who is infertile
Most women become egg donors because someone they know needs an egg
Negatives
Payment difference
Questions if a women is being taken advantage of if she is in desperate need for money
Controversy over whether a child should know they were born from a donor egg or sperm

9. Embryo Donation Issues
Alive at the moment of conception?
Should it be called embryonic adoption?
Should the child have the right to know who their biological parents are?
Harming the embryo?
People are finding that couples are searching online to find donors of embryos, might be exchanging money even though It has been outlawed.
Will it harm the donated embryo child to learn that they weren’t wanted by their biological parents?

10. In Vitro Gametogenesis (IVG)
IVG is the process of taking adult human cells, maybe cheek cells or skin cells from the arm, converting those cells into artificial gametes. These artificial gametes would then come together to become an embryo and then put into the womb.
This could help individuals such as:
Same-sex parents who are interested in having children who are biologically related to them
Adults with no sperm or eggs
Individuals who are having a hard time conceiving
Individuals who are interested in single parenthood
Multiplex parenting
Individual interested in having children by using deceased spouse's DNA

11. History Behind IVG
Started with Shinya Yamanaka and the discovery of iPSC’s
Mitinori Saitou and Katsuhiko Hayashi created the first born mice from artificial eggs.

12. Political/Social Aspects of IVG
Negatives:
Researchers believe it will be another 5 years until artificial human eggs are produced.
After being able to create viable human gametes, it will be years of trial runs until IVG can be released to the public.
Views from public:
Some believe that same-sex couples should not even be able to adopt children, let alone have their own biological children.
Positives:
Since IVF is invasive and has very low success rates IVG could be the new IVF.
Everyone would be able to have their own biological children.
In the future, scientists are hoping to couple IVG with gene editing.

13. Ethical Aspects of IVG Negatives:
Individuals could becoming parents without knowing.
Multiplex parenting causes problems with determining parentage.
Solo IVG might cause psychological harm.
Positive:
The really big positive out of IVG is that anyone would be able to have biological children.

14. Sources