Disadvantages of IVF
IVF technology is a major breakthrough in the field of reproductive medicine in recent years, helping many infertile couples achieve their reproductive dreams. However, although it has many advantages, IVF also has some disadvantages. This article will elaborate on the shortcomings of IVF from four aspects.
1. Ethical and moral issues
IVF technology involves a series of ethical and moral issues. First of all, this technology may lead to the emergence of "design baby", that is, to select the ideal gene combination through screening embryos, so as to create a "perfect" baby. This has triggered some moral disputes, because this choice may lead to social prejudice and discrimination against physiological and psychological diversity.
Secondly, IVF technology often requires the donation of eggs and sperm, which involves the privacy and rights of donors. There is also the problem of handling embryos, because not every fertilized egg will be successfully implanted, so many redundant embryos will be generated. How to deal with these redundant embryos has become an ethical problem.
Finally, IVF technology also triggered thinking about parent-child relationship. Because the baby is born through allogenic surrogacy or fertilized egg transplantation into the mother's body, this may have an impact on the establishment and communication of parent-child relationship.
2. Psychological pressure
The treatment of IVF is a long and tedious process for couples. From initial assessment to egg donation or IVF, this process may last for months or even years. This makes couples suffer from great psychological pressure. They need to face the expectations and pressures from society, families and themselves, as well as disappointment and frustration again and again.
In addition, IVF also increases the psychological burden of patients. They may be worried about the potential risk of disease and the incidence of malformations. In addition, if treatment fails, couples may fall into emotional depression and depression.
Long term treatment and psychological stress will not only affect the couple's mental health, but also may have a negative impact on the relationship between the couple.
3. Financial pressure
The cost of IVF treatment is very expensive, which is another disadvantage of IVF. Including the initial diagnosis fee, drug fee, operation fee, laboratory fee, etc., all need to bear a considerable economic burden. According to the medical system of different countries and hospitals, the cost of IVF may vary greatly.
For some infertile couples, the cost of IVF treatment may exceed their financial affordability. This may lead them to make concessions or give up treatment decisions on fertility issues, bringing them psychological pressure and mental pain.
4. Health risks
IVF technology is not totally risk-free. When known hospitals such as the Bourn Hall Clinic in the Netherlands implanted embryos, they found that the risk of IVF may be higher than that of naturally conceived children. This may be related to factors such as the culture environment of embryos and relevant operation techniques during IVF.
In addition, IVF children may also face other health risks related to assisted reproductive technology, such as premature delivery, low birth weight, etc.
Summary
To sum up, IVF technology does bring hope and joy to many infertile couples, but it also has some shortcomings. Ethical and moral problems, psychological pressure, financial pressure and health risks are the four main shortcomings of IVF. Therefore, when using IVF technology, it is necessary to comprehensively consider these shortcomings, and conduct a comprehensive risk assessment and psychological preparation.
