/
In addition to the conventional methods of fertility treatment [see Pregnancy Miracle Book ], a number of techniques, collectively known as assisted reproductive technologies (ART), can assist couples in becoming pregnant. They areIn vitro fertilization,gamete intrafallopian transfer, zygote intrafallopian transferandpreimplantation genetic diagnosis.
The rapid development of ART has raised many ethical and legal issues. Philosophers, theologians, and medical ethicists question the right of humans to tamper with natural processes
Some observers fear that the availability of ART will give humans the ability tomanipulate their genetic heredity. Opponents of reproductive technologies take issue with techniques that enable doctors to identify and select sperm, eggs, or embryos before they are implanted. They argue that these techniques will someday permit parents to select certain idealized standards, such as the absence of minor defects, or choose a preferred gender for their baby. Many critics fear that these technologies may one day help parents create a genetic photocopy of themselves.
Some of the ethical questions surroundingabortionalso arise in the field of fertility technology. Fertility treatment may result in multiple pregnancies, which can endanger the health of the mother and babies. When multiple pregnancies occur, doctors can selectively abort one or more of the embryos to improve the survival chances of the others and to reduce the burden on parents of raising quintuplets or sextuplets.
Furthermore, in a world where millions of existing children are orphans and poverty stricken, many people question spending thousands of scarce medical-care dollars to enable affluent couples to have babies of their own biological parentage. Health-care policymakers debate whether infertility treatment is a basic right that should be paid for by medical insurance, or an elective luxury, similar to cosmetic surgery, available only to those who can pay the price.
In addition to these ethical issues, fertility practitioners and their patients have more immediate concerns, such as deciding the fate of unused eggs, sperm, and embryos. If these reproductive cells are frozen and stored, decisions must be made about how long they will be kept and at whose expense. Further issues involve custody of embryos if the parents divorce or die.
Infertility treatments may involve considerable time, expense, and loss of privacy. As a result, many couples find that dealing with infertility and its treatment is stressful and puts a strain on relationships. Physicians often recommend that couples undergo private counseling or participate in infertility support groups to help deal with infertility-related issues.
Click Here To Discover How to Treat Infertility Naturally; Without Drugs or Surgery
