Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Risk of birth defects from IVF


The London Independent newspaper carried (14 June 2010) a report that has later been picked up by various other media outlets. The report was about the possibility of risks of birth defects following conception as a result of IVF, (in vitro fertilisation).

‘Couples contemplating fertility treatment should be warned’, says the report, ‘about the risks of birth defects, which are up to twice as common as when conception is natural, researchers say.’ It is reported that the number of babies born as a result of different forms of ‘fertility treatment’ is growing each year. Fertility treatment, it is stated, ‘includes IVF and other invasive treatments as well as treatment with drugs alone to stimulate ovulation.’

The report has come from a study carried out under the auspices of the Maternite Port Royal Hospital, in Paris, and it was presented at the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Genetics in Gothenburg, Sweden, recently. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, in the UK, commenting on the results of the study said that: ‘It is important that patients are informed about this but not alarmed by it.’ I wonder if that same Authority would suggest that mothers are informed about the fatal (to her child) and dangerous (to herself) consequences of abortion? I doubt it!

On the subject of IVF and all other forms of ART (assisted reproductive technology), surely it more imperative than ever, now, to promote, encourage and recognise the natural alternative NaPro technology

NaPro technology, apart altogether from its moral and ethical base, has been shown to be far more successful than conventional, IVF, technologies. You can find more information about NaPro on www.naprotechnology.com and www.fertilitycare.ie. My previous blogs (1 March 2010; 18 February 2010; 28 June 2009; 29 May 2009) give further information.