ART
Thesis:Assisted reproduction techniques (ART) such as In Vitro fertilization (IVF) and/or Gamete IntraFallopian Transfer (GIFT) are helpful and hopeful fertility treatments that use the donation of gametes or sex cells (sperm or ovum) to overcome infertility problems that prevent certain people from forming families and having a feeling of self fulfillment. These assisted reproductive techniques that uses ova and sperms from female and male donors are some of the most successful tools to fight infertility issues, they are not really expensive procedures compared to other high-tech methods, and the tremendous progress that these reproductive technologies are experiencing will reduce infertility rates considerably due to a more advanced technologies.
Reason 1:As indicated by one of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ agencies; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the pregnancy success rate from donor eggs was of 55.1% in 2007. Clearly, there is more than 50 percent chance pregnancy will result from using assisted reproductive techniques. Egg donation is just one step in the complete procedure of an assisted reproductive technique and its role is more than relevant to the success of the technique because the quality and number of the donated eggs are taken into consideration.
Reason 2:Given that these new reproductive technologies are limited and few private clinics or hospitals perform them the costs involved in the use of these practices are very high. According to the American Pregnancy Association, an estimated price for an average cycle of 36 days will be between $15,000 and $20,000 varying between clinics and what is included in the price structure. However, when compared to other high-tech procedures such as transplants or other conventional surgeries the cost of ART procedures are quite reasonable considering what is involved.
Reason 3:Since new and great advances in reproductive technologies are taking place nowadays and more governments are less reluctant to ban certain ART procedures, infertility rates will experience a reasonable decreasein time. So far, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agency indicates that there was a percentage of 8.5% of married woman who were infertile in 2002; however that same percentage changed to 7.3% in 2008. The decrease in infertility rates is very clear due in part to innovative advances in reproductive technologies.
Conclusion: Not only is infertility an individual problem, but also a social issue in which the desire to procreate and form a family is a fundamental human drive. Lately many couples with infertility problems are opting to undergo complex but hopeful reproductive techniques in order to achieve pregnancy, fulfill their need to have a family and become part of a society. In this scenario assisted reproduction techniques (ART) play a relevant role in helping infertile women or men achieve pregnancy. These ART procedures are becoming more popular over time due to their high success rate. Even though these techniques are quite costly, when compared to other complex surgeries and their outcomes the price ART methods will become reasonable. Furthermore, new advances in reproductive technologies will makeinfertility problems be less difficult and stressful by reducing the number of cases and improving the current techniques.
References
American Pregnancy Association. October, 2005. Policy: Egg Donation.
(Accessed July 25, 2009)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February 09, 2009. Assisted Reproductive
Technology (ART) Report: National Summary. Success Rate
Wisot, Arthur, and David Meldrum. 1997. Conceptions & Misconceptions: A Guide through the
Maze of In Vitro Fertilization and other Assisted Reproduction Techniques. Hartley and
Marks Publishers: Points Roberts, WA