History of IVF
In vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET) are medical methods that assist infertile couples to achieve fertility. The following will elaborate on the development of IVF in terms of history, technology, law and social acceptance.
History of IVF
The pioneers of IVF technology are British biologists Robert Edwards and Patrick Stapleton, who successfully gave birth to the world's first IVF in 1978. This breakthrough scientific achievement has completely changed the fate of infertile couples.
With the continuous progress of science and technology and the efforts of all countries in the world, IVF technology has gradually developed and matured. In the past decades, IVF has been widely used worldwide. Nowadays, many countries have set up special reproductive medical centers or IVF hospitals to provide professional services for infertile couples.
In China, the Reproductive Medicine Center of Peking Union Medical College Hospital is one of the earliest medical institutions in China to develop IVF technology. Since 1994, the center has successfully assisted thousands of couples to realize their reproductive dreams.
IVF technology
IVF technology mainly includes two steps: in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. First, through the use of ovulation promoting drugs, women can produce multiple follicles. Then, the eggs and sperm taken out are fertilized in a test tube and cultured into embryos. Finally, select the best embryo for transplantation into the uterus of a woman, hoping to successfully implant and develop into a baby.
With the progress of technology, IVF technology has become more accurate and efficient. For example, the application of single blastocyst transfer technology can improve the implantation rate and reduce the risk of multiple pregnancy. In addition, the emergence of embryo selection technology can improve the success rate of pregnancy and reduce the risk of genetic diseases by screening embryos with chromosome abnormalities.
Law and social acceptance
There are differences in laws and policies of IVF technology worldwide. Some countries have clear legal provisions and regulatory agencies for IVF, such as the United States, Britain, Australia, etc. In some other countries, the laws and policies on IVF are still relatively vague.
The social acceptance of IVF also varies with culture, religion and other factors. In some countries and regions, IVF technology is widely accepted and has become the mainstream choice of infertile couples. In other countries, IVF is still facing moral and ethical disputes.
Summary
As an important reproductive medicine technology, IVF has experienced nearly 50 years of development and made great achievements. From the initial pilot to today's popularization, IVF technology has been constantly innovating, bringing good news to infertile couples. However, it is still necessary to further strengthen the formulation of relevant laws and regulations and the wide acceptance of society to provide support for the healthy development of IVF technology.
