British Medical Journal Study condems overuse of IVF

The Irish Times reports today on a new study published in the British Medical Journal that claims 'in vitro fertilisation' (IVF) is being overused and not needed in 95% of cases. 

Whilst one would always wish to help couples who have difficulty in conceiving a baby IVF is not the answer, it is intrinsically morally wrong and should be banned in all cases.

We have on many occasions highlighted the immorality of the IVF process and the potentially serious consequences for both women and their babies. We have also previously reported on NaPro Technology, the safe and moral alternative to IVF which does not commodify babies or exploit women.

NaPro Technology rather than trying to bypass the causes of infertility, aims to identify and treat such causes, is non-invasive, and it does not impinge on any moral or ethical considerations. Apart from all of this, NaPro Technology has been seen to be extraordinarily successful in helping women to achieve pregnancy.

See article dated April 2^nd 2013, which links to a number of previous BLOG POSTS

The Irish Times article reads

In vitro fertilization (IVF) to help couples to have children is being increasingly employed on “weak” grounds, while children born through it are at higher risk of health problems, new research warns.

The study, which was written by researchers in Britain, Australia and the Netherlands and is published by the British Medical Journal today, states the risk of extending the benefits of IVF to childless couples could be outweighing the benefits.

“IVF was developed for women with fallopian tube disorders and severe male infertility, but in recent years it has been applied to wider conditions, including unexplained infertility,” according to the team, led by Dutch-based Dr Esme Kamphuis.

    The two parents are both carriers of the CF gene, and the risk of them having a child with CF was one in two without PGD, Dr Tim Dineen said. Photograph: Katie Collins/PA WireFirst pregnancy in Ireland using new screening technique

    Until now the only option available to women with this form of infertility has been to accept IVF treatment using donor eggs. Photograph: Alan Betson/Irish TimesBaby born after ovaries ‘reawakened’

    One cycle of IVF can cost about €5,000. While a tax rebate can be claimed on some of the outlay, the financial burden on those seeking treatments is still significant. Photograph: Alan Betson Health insurers to discuss covering IVF treatments

The first IVF birth took place in 1978, and it took until 2003 for the first million IVF babies to be born. However, a second million were born by 2005. Since then, three million more have been born.