Can IVF multiple fetuses be selectively reduced?
Test tube baby refers to the method of giving birth to couples who cannot conceive naturally through artificial pregnancy technology. Due to the high success rate of this technique, multiple pregnancy is becoming more and more common. However, multiple pregnancy will bring higher health risks to both pregnant women and infants. Therefore, the issue of whether to selectively reduce tires has attracted much attention. This article will elaborate on whether IVF multiple births can be selectively reduced from four aspects: ethics, medical risks, social considerations and legitimacy.
Ethics
On the ethical and moral level, the selective reduction of IVF multiple fetuses has caused a series of disputes. Some people believe that every fertilized egg has a life, and selective embryo reduction is equivalent to ending the existence of a life, which is a violation of human life dignity. However, others believe that multiple pregnancy brings great risks to the health of pregnant women and infants, and selective reduction of fetus is to protect the life and health of other children. Therefore, ethical and moral issues need to be weighed according to individual values and beliefs.
However, in practice, some hospitals have prohibited the operation of selective fetal reduction due to ethical considerations. For example, some hospitals with religious backgrounds in the United States do not allow selective fetal reduction because they believe that every embryo has the same life value as human beings.
Medical risks
Multiple pregnancy has a high medical risk for both pregnant women and infants. First, pregnant women face a higher risk of miscarriage and premature delivery during multiple pregnancy. At the same time, multiple pregnancy also increases the possibility of pregnant women suffering from hypertension and diabetes.
For infants, the risk of multiple pregnancy is more serious. Infants with multiple births tend to be light at birth, and there is a risk of growth retardation and low weight. In addition, babies with multiple births are more likely to have congenital malformations such as premature delivery, Down syndrome and mental retardation than singletons.
Therefore, in order to reduce medical risks, selective fetal reduction is regarded as a reasonable choice by some doctors and families.
Social considerations
The cost of rearing and educating multiple births is often higher than that of single births. This is because multiple birth babies need more resources and time investment in care, feeding and education. In addition, families also need to bear higher psychological and economic pressure.
On the other hand, the arrival of multiple births will also cause certain pressure on social public resources. For example, medical resources and school education resources need more allocation to meet the needs of multiple births. Therefore, at the social level, selective tire reduction can help relieve the pressure on social resources and reduce the burden on families.
Legitimacy
At present, many countries have not clearly stipulated whether IVF multiple fetuses can be selectively reduced. However, some countries and regions have regulated the selective reduction of IVF multiple fetuses. For example, relevant laws and regulations in Britain, Australia and other countries allow doctors and families to selectively reduce fetuses according to medical and ethical requirements. The laws of the United States are different in different states. Some states allow selective tire reduction, while others prohibit it.
In general, the selective reduction of IVF multiple fetuses is a complex and controversial issue. On the basis of weighing ethics, medical risks, social considerations and legitimacy, families and doctors should make responsible decisions according to the specific circumstances and comply with local laws and regulations.
Summary
The selective reduction of IVF multiple fetuses is an ethical, medical and social problem. From the ethical point of view, selective reduction of fetus involves the balance of life value; In terms of medical risks, selective fetal reduction can reduce the health risks of pregnant women and infants; In terms of social considerations, selective tire reduction can reduce family and social pressure; In terms of law, some countries have clearly regulated the selective reduction of IVF multiple births. Therefore, the decision of selective birth reduction should be made under the condition of comprehensive consideration of ethical, medical, social and legal factors.
