Cons of In Vitro Fertilization
1. Destroying Social Structures:
There are concerns that IVF might end up working too well and experts warned that this technology could lead to the end of family, with marriage replaced by laboratory breeding such as occurred in Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. Conservatives main fear is the creation of non-traditional families and feminists are worried that these medical advancements will pressure more women into having children.
2. Unnatural Creation of Life:
Religious activists are the largest group of people who oppose this biomedical science. These individuals believe that IVF isn't how a life should be created because altering an embryo is messing with God's work, and this process of life should be natural. It has also been said that scientists are trying to, "take the Lord's work into their own hands." (Pope Pius XII)
3. Low Success Rates:
In 2010, the percentage of cycles for women using their own fresh eggs which resulted in a live birth are as follows...
- 32% if under 35 years old
- 28% if between ages 35-37
- 21% if between ages 38-39
The chances of a cycle of IVF resulting in a child continues to get slimmer as age increases, with only 2% success if you are 45 years or older.
4. Expensive:
In the United States alone, one cycle of in vitro fertilization costs approximately $10,000-$15,000 and it isn't guaranteed to work. This leaves IVF as an option only for the wealthy.
5. Multiple Births (Octomom):
By implanting more than one embryo, there is a chance that multiple of them will be transferred into the uterus. This increases the risk of having a premature baby or a baby with low birth weight. This situation happened to Nadya Suleman back in 2008. Dr. Michael Kamrava implanted twelve embryos during Suleman's IVF treatment, while medical guidelines recommend no more than two. This process resulted in the birth of eight premature babies.
6. Medical Risks:
In vitro fertilization can lead to kidney failure and blood clots because this process puts a great amount of stress on the body. After a cycle has been started, there is need for frequent blood tests to monitor the increase luteinizing surge (triggers ovulation).
There are concerns that IVF might end up working too well and experts warned that this technology could lead to the end of family, with marriage replaced by laboratory breeding such as occurred in Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. Conservatives main fear is the creation of non-traditional families and feminists are worried that these medical advancements will pressure more women into having children.
2. Unnatural Creation of Life:
Religious activists are the largest group of people who oppose this biomedical science. These individuals believe that IVF isn't how a life should be created because altering an embryo is messing with God's work, and this process of life should be natural. It has also been said that scientists are trying to, "take the Lord's work into their own hands." (Pope Pius XII)
3. Low Success Rates:
In 2010, the percentage of cycles for women using their own fresh eggs which resulted in a live birth are as follows...
- 32% if under 35 years old
- 28% if between ages 35-37
- 21% if between ages 38-39
The chances of a cycle of IVF resulting in a child continues to get slimmer as age increases, with only 2% success if you are 45 years or older.
4. Expensive:
In the United States alone, one cycle of in vitro fertilization costs approximately $10,000-$15,000 and it isn't guaranteed to work. This leaves IVF as an option only for the wealthy.
5. Multiple Births (Octomom):
By implanting more than one embryo, there is a chance that multiple of them will be transferred into the uterus. This increases the risk of having a premature baby or a baby with low birth weight. This situation happened to Nadya Suleman back in 2008. Dr. Michael Kamrava implanted twelve embryos during Suleman's IVF treatment, while medical guidelines recommend no more than two. This process resulted in the birth of eight premature babies.
6. Medical Risks:
In vitro fertilization can lead to kidney failure and blood clots because this process puts a great amount of stress on the body. After a cycle has been started, there is need for frequent blood tests to monitor the increase luteinizing surge (triggers ovulation).