Disadvantages and limitations of IVF
As an assisted reproductive technology, IVF has achieved great success in solving some infertility problems, but it also faces some shortcomings and limitations. The following will elaborate from four aspects: physical and mental health, economic pressure, ethics and success rate.
Physical and mental health
First, IVF will give women some physical stimulation and discomfort in the process of technical operation. The research of Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands found that the mothers of test tube babies were more likely to have health problems such as hypertension and postpartum depression during pregnancy and delivery.
Secondly, the success rate of IVF technology is not high, which is affected by many factors, including female age, egg quality, implantation environment, etc. According to the research report of the National University of Singapore School of Medicine, the success rate of IVF for women over 35 years old is only about 25%, compared with 45% for women under 30 years old.
Third, IVF may bring risks to children's physical and mental health. For example, studies have shown that children born through IVF technology are more likely to suffer from congenital genetic defects, diseases or developmental delays. In addition, these children may also face psychological problems related to genes, such as inferiority, identity, etc.
Economic pressure
First, the cost of IVF technology is very high. For low-income families, the economic pressure is very great. According to the data of New York City Hospital, the average cost of IVF is 25000 dollars, and does not include the corresponding drug costs.
Second, if the IVF process is not successful, the family may need to try many times, increasing the financial burden. According to the research of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, on average, it takes three to six IVF procedures to successfully give birth to a child.
Third, for some low-income families, IVF may aggravate their poverty. In addition, because the IVF process requires a long time of treatment and observation, parents may need to ask for a long vacation, which reduces or even stops working income.
Moral ethics
First, IVF technology involves the selection of embryo sex, gene screening and other issues, which has triggered a series of moral and ethical disputes. Some people believe that this selection and screening process may lead to social preference for different genders or genes, which will lead to gender inequality and discrimination.
Second, IVF technology may threaten the values of natural reproduction. Some people believe that the artificial intervention and selection in the process of IVF weakens the strength and beauty of natural reproduction. In addition, IVF technology may also lead to social and demographic imbalance and ecological imbalance.
Third, IVF technology may increase the social pressure and psychological burden of infertility. Some infertile couples may feel desperate and distressed because they cannot afford the cost and risk of IVF.
Success rate
First, the success rate of IVF technology is not ideal. For some infertile couples, they may face many setbacks. According to the statistics of the American Infertility Society, the success rate of IVF is about 30% to 40%, so patience and persistence are required.
Second, the success rate of IVF technology is related to many factors, including age, physique, uterine status, etc. Some women face greater difficulties and risks in the process of childbirth due to their older age or other reasons.
Third, the success of IVF technology depends largely on the level of hospitals and doctors. The success rate of IVF is low in some hospitals due to low technical level or imperfect equipment.
Summary
As an assisted reproductive technology, IVF has solved the pain of some infertile couples, but it also has some shortcomings and limitations. From the four aspects of physical and mental health, economic pressure, ethics and success rate, IVF may pose risks to the physical and mental health of women and children, pressure on the family economy, cause moral and ethical disputes, and the success rate is not high. Therefore, when choosing IVF technology, we need to consider these factors comprehensively and make rational decisions.
