Infertility is a topic that is very profound and emotional for those that suffer from it. It is not as
widely discussed like abortion, birth control, and sexually transmitted diseases. However, it is just as impactful and infects society and the world just as much. Families and individuals that struggle with infertility have a diagnosis that affects them emotionally, mentally, and psychologically in some of the same ways that people who suffer from incurable sexually transmitted diseases do. I think it is a very good example of biotechnology in more than one way. According to bio.org “biotechnology harnesses cellular and biomolecular processes to develop technologies and products that help improve our lives and the health of our planet.” In vitro fertilization is for women who have either had a tubal ligation or for whatever reason have issues with reproductive abilities. As well as men, women, and families who for whatever reason are having difficulty with the fertilization of their eggs. It meets the definition of biotechnology because it provides an innovative way through scientific technology to reproduce that would otherwise not be possible for people who have infertility issues.
It’s an awesome metaphor for biotechnology in more than one way. The initial step is to meet with the reproductive Specialist or OB-GYN and schedule the extraction of both eggs from females and sperm from males. During this phase, the female has to take specific vitamins and stay on a regimented schedule. There are two different types of scenarios to consider. First, there are families with whom the female will have her eggs extracted and utilize sperm that are donated from an unknown male. Second, some females have had tubal ligations and have to have the egg donated or extracted and then placed back in her uterus. The process includes the removal of eggs from the female body and sperm from the male. These are traditionally done on two separate occasions with the male and female participants being in two separate areas. Once the eggs and sperm are collected, the donors are either paid for their participation or prepare for a follow-up visit to discuss the time at which the eggs will be fertilized. The latter is specifically for families that are already a unit and for whatever reason are having a hard time for lies in your eggs. Both of which are placed inside of a container to complete the fertilization process. At which time the fertilized egg is placed inside of the uterus and completes the reproduction process. This process helps improve the lives of many families that experience the difficulties that were discussed above. As with most scientific Technologies there are things to consider.
The most notable benefit of the in vitro fertilization process is that it provides a bright future and a possible way for men and women who desire to have a family biologically to do so especially when my present circumstances and situations make this dream seem unattainable for them. An article in LiveScience proves that the benefits most definitely outweigh the risk. And it states, “women who experience problems becoming pregnant today may seek medical services quickly, and become pregnant before the 12-month. That would be needed to classify them as infertile.” The drawback that I chose to note was the possibility of going through the process and none of the eggs being fertilized. What this means is that the family has to start at Square One Andre extract eggs and sperm and try the process again. If this happens repeatedly they have to consider another form of reproductive technology. According to the American pregnancy.org “the chance of a multiples pregnancy is increased with the use of root fertility treatment…including the increased risk of premature delivery and low birth weight.” I don’t feel the need to elaborate on any ethical concerns. However, I will address the concern of others about leftover embryos. In my opinion, it is not a major concern because embryos are released monthly from every woman that has a menstrual cycle. The process of menstruation is the creation or development of an ovary that goes into a state of fertilization if it goes in fertilized then it goes into the uterus and this creates the process of menstruation. So, leftover embryos are just embryos that happened to be left out as opposed to being processed in a natural system through the female body.
References:
Healing, fueling, feeding: How biotechnology is enriching your life. Found February 20, 2018 at https://www.bio.org/healing-fueling-feeding-how-biotechnology-enriching-your-life
In Vitro Fertilization: What I it? July 28, 2017 found on February 20, 2018 at http://americanpregnancy.org/infertility/in-vitro-fertilization/
Rettner, Rachael. US Infertility Rates Drop Over Last 3 Decades. August 14, 2014 at https://www.livescience.com/38877-infertility-rates-drop-united-states.html
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