Reproductive technologies aided: Descriptions, variations, and moral considerations
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) in the United States: Overcoming Infertility and Genetic Risks
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) is a set of medical procedures aimed at achieving pregnancy, and in the United States, it plays a significant role in helping couples conceive. Among the common types of ART are In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT), Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT), and egg and sperm donation and freezing techniques.
IVF and ICSI are the most widely used ART methods. The success rates of IVF vary primarily based on the age of the woman, with 52% for people aged 35 or younger, 38.1% for people aged 35-37, 23.5% for people aged 38-40, and 7.6% for those over the age of 40. ICSI is often used when male factor infertility is present, but studies indicate that for non-male factor infertility cases, ICSI does not improve fertilization outcomes or pregnancy rates and is not routinely recommended for such patients.
ART offers several benefits, including enabling conception in couples facing infertility due to various causes, modern technologies allowing genetic screening of embryos, increasing cumulative live birth rates through multiple embryo transfer cycles, and offering fertility preservation options through egg or sperm freezing. However, ART also carries risks, such as an increased risk of multiple pregnancies, slightly higher rates of birth defects with ICSI compared to natural conception, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, and emotional and physical stress related to treatment cycles.
The costs of ART treatments such as IVF average between $12,000 to $15,000 per cycle in the U.S., not including medications, which can add several thousand dollars more. Some advanced procedures (e.g., ICSI, preimplantation genetic testing) increase costs further. Insurance coverage varies widely by state and policy, with many patients paying out-of-pocket.
Ethical considerations surrounding ART include debates over the fate of unused embryos, the ethics of genetic screening and selection, access inequities due to high costs and insurance limitations, considerations around multiple embryo transfers and the resulting risk of high-order multiples, and the psychosocial impact on families and children born through ART.
In summary, IVF remains the primary ART method in the U.S. with well-documented success rates improving with technological advances. Benefits include overcoming infertility and genetic risk reduction, while risks involve multiple pregnancies and costs. Ethical discussions continue around equitable access, embryo handling, and genetic testing.
References
[1] American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). (2021). Infertility Facts and Figures. Retrieved from https://www.asrm.org/globalassets/asrm/asrm-us/resources/resources-for-the-public/infertility-101/infertility-facts-and-figures.pdf
[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Success Rates - United States, 2019. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/art/artdata/ARTData2019.htm
[3] Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART). (2021). SART 2019 National Data Report. Retrieved from https://sart.org/resources/national-data-reports/
[4] National Institutes of Health (NIH). (2021). Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). Retrieved from https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/fertility/conditioninfo/infertility/pages/assisted-reproductive-technology.aspx
[5] American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). (2021). Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). Retrieved from https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/assisted-reproductive-technology-art
- Infertility treatment, such as IVF, falls under the category of medical-conditions, a subject often studied in science.
- Chronic diseases like cancer can potentially be identified and addressed through the genetic screening of embryos in ART.
- Respiratory conditions, digestive health, and eye-health may not directly connect to ART, but personal wellness, including fitness and exercise, plays a crucial role in overall health and wellness.
- Hearing issues could develop over time, requiring therapies and treatments, much like the care needed for skin-conditions.
- Despite the life-transforming benefits of ART, it's important to consider mental-health implications for individuals undergoing the process, as well as men's health aspects.
- Nutrition is a critical factor in both women's and mens health, especially during ART procedures and pregnancy.
- Cardiovascular health is vital for expecting individuals, with implications for potential risks during pregnancy and delivery.
- CBD is a growing area in medical research, with some studies suggesting it may be beneficial for managing chronic diseases and neurological disorders.
- As ART involves genetic manipulation, it raises discussions about skin-conditions and genetic traits.
- The field of education-and-self-development could benefit from exploring ethical implications of ART, such as the handling of unused embryos and the ethics of genetic screening and selection.
- Personal-growth and career-development may include understanding the emotional impact of ART on individuals and families, as well as the economical aspects and insurance coverage.
- The advancements in ART technology has far-reaching implications for numerous aspects of health and society, necessitating ongoing research, dialogue, and improvements in the field.
